Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1411
Bronze Age Socketted Spearhead
CIRCA 19TH CENTURY B.C.
10 1/8 in. (183 grams, 25.6 cm).
With foliate blade and tapering socket. [No Reserve]
Provenance
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000.
From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
Literature
Cf. Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003, in Russian, see pl.XXXIV, no.1, for identical spearhead from Kanesh (Nesa or Kultepe).
Footnotes
The bronze spearhead developed considerably during the period of the Assyrian colonies in Anatolia and even during the period Karum III-IV, maintaining consistently its southern shape. Conical points are also known from Bogazkoy's Karum levels. While spearheads from the first half of the 2nd millennium B.C. were hafted by means of a tang, with two slots in the blade providing additional support, most of the Late Bronze Age spearheads were socketted.
CONDITIONVETTING:
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.
RELATED LOTS
-
North-West Persian Bronze Short Sword with Integral Grip and Horns
Circa 1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
With curved 'horns' projecting on either side at the top of waisted grip, blade with flat mid-rib. 242 grams, 41.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The Luristani people produced a quantity of fine metalwork, which according to Dr Khorasani, could be due to a settled period which arose as a result of the defeat of the Elamites by the Babylonians, leaving the Luristani people in relative peace for a period of time after 1200 B.C. According to Khorasani, 'A culture of innovation and experimentation flourished, and the repertoire of the Luristan smiths expanded in the period between 1150-1050 BC.' -
Greek Bronze Arrowhead Collection
Circa 5th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Comprising: two leaf-shaped with raised midribs; one triangular with barbs; one triangular with short socket. 18 grams total, 34-52 mm
From an old UK collection, acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Shropshire private collector. -
Bactrian Bronze Eye Axehead
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
Fan-shaped blade; an apotropaic eye in relief to each side of the socket; wing-shaped extension to the rear. 327 grams, 16 cm
From an old London, UK, collection. Ex London, UK, gallery.
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.
