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_900x900.jpg "Large Byzantine Silver Archer's Ring")
_200x200.jpg "Large Byzantine Silver Archer's Ring")
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LOT 1153
Large Byzantine Silver Archer's Ring
14TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/8 in. (22.61 grams, 34.77 mm overall, 25.16 mm internal diameter).
Comprising a hoop with reserved triangular ornament on the edges and triangular plaque with foliage motifs, raised central panel with frond motif.
ProvenanceAcquired in the 1990s.
Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.
Cf. Bikic, V., ‘Beyond the Jewellery: Archer’s Rings in the Medieval Balkans (14th-15th centuries)’ in Bosselmann-Ruickbie, A. (ed.), New Research on Late Byzantine Goldsmiths’ Works (13th-15th Centuries), Mainz, 2019, figs.5, 6, 7.
FootnotesArcher rings in Late Byzantium and the medieval Balkans were connected with the employment of the powerful composite bow, but very often, in the 14th century they served as insignia of rank for aristocratic noblemen. Archaeological findings of archers’ rings originate mainly from fortified towns, including mining centres. Many were made in bone, simple in design and undecorated. In contrast, the ones made in bronze and silver were usually decorated in rather uniform style, consisting of floral motifs on the head, mostly tulip and foliage, and linear motifs around the edges. This decoration combined Turkish, Central European and Eastern Roman traditional patterns.
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Comprising six tanged arrowheads, five with large elongated triangular blades and raised midrib, one with oval shoulders, all with sharp central groove, cylindrical stem with handle for the shaft. 145 grams total, 8-15 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
Some of these arrowheads seems to belong to the type V, subcategory type C, according to the classification of Khorasani and Negahban. In the four categories of triangular bronze arrowheads from Luristan, Marlik and Northern Iran individuated by Negahban, subtypes C and D of type V are larger arrow or javelin heads, C with barbed shoulders and D with round shoulders. -
Luristan Bronze Flat Axe
13th-7th century B.C.Estimate: £120 - 170 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £60
Formed with a rounded butt and flared cutting edge; flat in cross-section. 173 grams, 22 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
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Neo-Assyrian Bronze Horse Trapping with Eagle-Headed God Nisroch and Winged Supernatural Figures
9th-8th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £15,600
The left side of a trapping for a horse pulling a chariot, comprising two hammered elements with a hinge; rectangular upper section with a loop to one end, decorated with an eagle-headed genius-demon, wearing a tunic and a fringed kilt, a shawl wrapped around the body, hanging down on the back, carrying a bucket of purifying water in his right hand and a conical pot of incense in his left hand, bracelets to arms, two rows of lotus buds above; the discoid lower section divided in two registers, each with a winged genii in combat with winged bulls; the dividing raised band with fish motifs similar to the border formed of fish; the edges of both elements with punched edges for the attachment of leather lining; Neo-Assyrian or Urartian; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 3.75 kg total, 59 cm including stand
Acquired in the 1960s. Ex private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent in 1996. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11780-205646.
These pieces of horse armour, destined to be the lateral protection for horses, were usually fixed at the four corners of the yoke (Connolly, 1986, p.17). Sometimes these side pendants provided protection for the upper part of horse's legs. Drawings and reconstructions of an Urartian chariot compiled from archaeological evidence shows the likely positioning on the shoulder of the horse (Gorelik, 1995, p.4). They served to protect the horse and also as symbols of divine protection. Similar pieces are visible on Assyrian reliefs (Born-Seidl, 1995, figs.53-54, relief from Nimrod; 62, from Assur; Curtis, 2013, pl.LXXV; Dezső, 2012, pl.12-13).
