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LOT 1075
Chinese Bronze Military Flag or Banner Finial
CIRCA 5TH-3RD CENTURY B.C. OR LATER
13 3/8 in. (873 grams, 34 cm).
Composed of a socketted blade divided into six sections with sharp grooves, the shaft with four circumferential bands.
ProvenanceEx old English collection.
London art market, pre 2000.
Property of a London, UK, gentleman.
Cf. Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg (2003), pl.XXXVIII, nos.54, 58-59, for similar.
FootnotesThe Chinese, having adopted the use of chariot from the west, judging by the monuments and literature used it primarily for archery combat, as evidenced by the absence of spearheads in chariot burials of the Yin Kingdom. But already from the early Zhou Dynasty chariot warriors used a spear. Massive Yin spears were the weapon of dense infantry formations. The shape of our specimen, probably used as standard finial, recalls that of a spear from Zhongzhoulu, Luoyang, Prov. Henan, dated at the 5th-4th centuries B.C., and of two spears from the Zheng fortress of Xinzheng Country, dated to the 4th-3rd century B.C.
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13th-12th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Showing a long tapering blade with rounded shoulders and prominent mid-rib, the tang straight and rectangular in section. 348 grams, 43.4 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The weapon belongs to the type 1 of the Khorasani spearhead classification, mainly from Marlik or Amlash areas. Similar pieces have been dated by Stutzinger to 1200-1100 B.C., but the period of use is attested to at least until 1000 B.C. -
Greek Iron Arrowhead
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Barbed and tanged type with flared shoulder. 15.5 grams, 10.2 cm
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Bactrian Bronze Ceremonial Claw Mace
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Egg-shaped with spiked sleeves or prongs, the top of the weapon with narrow edge, the sleeves with small internal tangs for mounting. 237 grams, 14 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The 'claw mace' was an enigmatic ancient bronze weapon from the Bronze Age Near East. The hollow bulbous head was trailed by tines of varying lengths. It is believed that it was affixed over a wooden shaft and used like a club in combat, and not necessarily used as ceremonial weapon. The knife edge bulb end could have broken bones and proven to be a formidable striking weapon requiring no skill to wield. The tines would have not only been decorative, but have served to add strength below the striking end to prevent breakage. In battle, maces were often used by commanders to display rank when giving orders in battle and leading soldiers, inspiring leadership and power.
