Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1391

Bactrian Bronze Eye Axehead

3RD-2ND 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.

Provenance

From an old London, UK, collection.
Ex London, UK, gallery.

Literature

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

Footnotes

Most 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.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine 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


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 1391

Bactrian Bronze Eye Axehead

Estimate £300 - 400€350 - 460 (for guidance only)$410 - 540 (for guidance only)

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Byzantine Iron Spathion Sword
    Byzantine Iron Spathion Sword
    9th-11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £845

    An Eastern Roman spathion with long, double-edged parallel blade, a tapering, medium length tang, retaining possible remains of the fabrica mark in the middle, near the rivet hole for the handle. 698 grams, 81cm



    Acquired 1970-1980. From the collection of a Surrey gentleman.

    Lot Details

  • Luristan Sara-Gorz Bronze Macehead
    Luristan Sara-Gorz Bronze Macehead
    Circa 2000-1300 B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £338

    With long tubular shank and four hefty bulbs surrounding the shaft. 456 grams, 22.5 cm



    Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. Accompanied by an earlier catalogue identification card.

    This rare and unusual mace finds parallels with similar pieces published by Slotta, Vatandust, and Moorey. The dating varies between 21st and 14th century B.C. Western Iranian maces, especially the Luristan ones, were notable for the variety of different forms. According to Dr D. Nicolle the gorz or mace was primarily used as an armour breaking weapon since ancient times, and was very common on the Iranian plateau.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Iron Gladius Sword with Bird Triskeles
    Roman Iron Gladius Sword with Bird Triskeles
    Circa 1st-2nd century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,600

    With fish-shaped blade of piled iron construction with square shoulder and flat-section tang; incised triskele motif to one face, each arm terminating in a bird's head with curved beak and lentoid eye; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 870 grams total, 67 cm high including stand



    Acquired in the 2000s. From the private collection of John Lawton, Surrey, UK.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list