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LOT 1494
Iron Age Celtic Iron Spearhead Display
CIRCA 2ND CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
8 1/4 - 11 1/4 in. (429 grams total, spearheads: 21-28.5 cm).
Comprising two spearheads, each with a split socket and leaf-shaped blade, shallow midribs. [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
LiteratureCf. Allen, S., Celtic Warrior 300 BC-AD 100, Oxford, 2001, p.31, for similar.
FootnotesIn the Celtic world the spear was the primary weapon and symbol of a warrior. The Greek historian Strabo comments that the Celts carried two types of spear: a larger, heavier one for thrusting; and a smaller, lighter javelin that could be both thrown and used at closed quarters.
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AUCTIONS:
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Western Asiatic Bronze Spearhead
1500-1000 B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
With heavily ridged and tapered blade, short collared shaft and tapered bent tang with round stud terminal. 247 grams, 28.5 cm
Acquired in Europe in 1997. European private collection. -
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Collection
Circa late 2nd millennium-6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Including leaf-shaped, barbed and other types. 367 grams total, 3.4-10.7 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.
A number of arrowheads of this type have been excavated in Luristan and in the South-Caspian region. Many parallels are from a burial context, but a large hoard of them was found in a non-funerary context. This type of arrowhead has been in use from the late 2nd millennium B.C. Other arrowheads are clearly Achaemenid. -
Viking Age Ugro-Finnian Battle Axehead
11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
A hand-forged iron axehead with square chin to the blade, flanges raised to the socket, rear round hammer-head. 200 grams, 15.5 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
The more commonly used weapons of the Finno-Ugrian people were axes, commonly found in all Finnic areas, as well as spears. Iron axeheads of this typology show a sub-trapezoidal asymmetrical blade.
