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LOT 1835
Bactrian Bronze Decorated Socketted Axehead
BRONZE AGE, 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
4 1/2 in. (104 grams, 11.6 cm).
Comprising a short tubular socket with flared neck to the angled blade; incised herringbone ornament to both faces flanked by pounced triangular panels in bilinear bands,
ProvenanceFrom an old English collection formed since 1960.
LiteratureCf. Curtis, J., Early Mesopotamian and Iran, London, 1993, fig.7, p.80 for a similar example.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
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Greek Lead Slingshot with X
4th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Biconical in profile with casting seam and Greek legend '...X...' to one face. 30.4 grams, 37 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Greek bullets were cast in two-part moulds. Clay and stone moulds survive; metal moulds are much rarer in the archaeological records. The mould halves carry the negative of the bullet’s shape, often in rows, so that multiple bullets can be made at once. A narrow gate at the tip of each negative lets molten lead run into the cavity. After cooling, the caster opens the mould and breaks the sprue that links the bullets. -
Luristan Bronze Spearhead Collection
Circa 1000-700 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £6,500
Group of three tanged spearheads, each with a slender leaf-shaped two-edged blade and midrib, tiered ribbing to the neck, square-section tang with chisel tip; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.65 kg total, blades: 34.5-38.6 cm
Ex London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s. London, UK, collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13245-252972.
Spearheads of this kind were realised by mould casting. They were of different lengths and used by Luristan, Hamadan, early Median and Achaemenid warriors. -
Roman Iron Anti-Cavalry Caltrop Group
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Comprising six caltrops, hand-forged with square-section spikes. 338 grams total, 76-93 mm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
Caltrops were scattered on battlefields in an effort to stop or slow advancing enemy cavalry or foot soldiers; regardless of how a caltrop lands, one spike is always facing upwards. Caesar used them widely at Alesia (Caes., BG 7.73; 82): 'Stakes a foot long, with iron hooks attached to them, were entirely sunk in the ground before these, and were planted in every place at small intervals; these they called spurs'.
