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LOT 1022
Bactrian Bronze Eye Axehead
3RD-2D MILLENNIUM B.C.
6 1/4 in. (327 grams, 16 cm).
Fan-shaped blade; an apotropaic eye in relief to each side of the socket; wing-shaped extension to the rear.
ProvenanceFrom an old London, UK, collection.
Ex London, UK, gallery.
Cf. Gernez, G., L’armament en métal au Proche et Moyen-Orient: des origines a 1750 av. J.C., Paris, 2007, fig.2.15, subtype H 2.I.b
FootnotesMost of these axes are believed to have originated in Bactria, but some objects come from well documented contexts in Margiane (Gonur), Lut (Shahdad) and Kermanshah (Khinaman). According to Gernez they were made for ceremonial use.
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LOT 1022
Bactrian Bronze Eye Axehead
Estimate £400 - 600€460 - 700 (for guidance only)$540 - 810 (for guidance only)
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Luristan Bronze Axehead
12th-11th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
With elliptical socket and slightly flaring cheeks with cutting edge. 939 grams, 17.5 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
The axe corresponds to the Maxwell-Hyslop Type 20A, similar to specimens from Ordu and purely Asiatic in inspiration. An axe from Giyan has a distinct shaft tube which is not present on the Ordu axe, but the shape of the blade is similar and it is probable that smiths travelling over the Eastern Anatolian and Persian trade routes were responsible for making these typologies of axes. -
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British Fairbairn-Sykes 'Beaded and Ringed' Commando Dagger in Scabbard
Circa 1942 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
By Rodgers, with finely shaped 15cm stiletto blade with traces of original black finish tapering to a steel oval guard and fitted with a brass 'beaded and ringed' shaped hilt secured by a copper pommel nut; the hilt bearing the War Department 'broad arrow' and '2' marks near to the guard; with the original leather scabbard fitted with brass rivets and chape, pierced for belt wear and with the side flaps for sewing cut away as commonly seen when belt worn; the dagger showing wear with minor chipping to the blade, and movement in the hilt. 254 grams, 33 cm overall
Property of a Luton, UK gentleman, by inheritance.
In the autumn of 1942, the Rodgers firm produced what many consider to be the best of all the wartime Fairbairn-Sykes knives: the 'Beads and Ridges' model (or 'Beaded and Ringed'); so-called for its distinctive grip pattern to the brass hilt of single rings of tiny beads, interspersed between sections of four to seven plain rings. The blade is delicate and uniform, and the weapon, though light, is well balanced. The blade finish was black (as this example) or nickel. All of this type are considered to be at least scarce. According to both Fredrick Stephens and Leroy Thompson the type was a commercial variant for private purchase; however, there are some rare cases of this type which were officially issued with the War Department broad arrow and number marks, as with this example. -
Luristan Bronze Horse Bit with Horses
11th-8th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,160
The cheekpieces formed as stylised horses with small ears, elongated heads and long tails, a circular opening to the body for the bar to pass through, two loops to the body and two spurs to the reverse. 654 grams, 21 cm wide
Ex Paris collection. French gallery, Paris, 1990-2000s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11975-210127
In Luristan, horses were usually buried with a bronze horse-bit in their mouths, as shown by finds from Sarkishti, where the horses’ teeth were stained green.
