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LOT 1481
Large Luristan Bronze Adze-Axehead
2ND-1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
9 5/8 in. (1.22 kg, 24.5 cm).
With central shaft hole and blade set at right angle.
ProvenanceFrom a 1990s German collection.
Ex London, UK, gallery.
Cf. Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 2, London, 2004, item 34, p.32.
FootnotesThe adze-axe was a fundamental axe of many Bronze Age cultures of the world. Its form was one that lends itself to dual purposes - for war and peace. As a tool, it was used to shape wood in fabricating a variety of objects or even wooden beams for construction. As a weapon, its heavy mass and compact form make it a very deadly striking and chopping weapon, even able to defeat light armour.
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AUCTIONS:
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Tudor Period Iron Axehead with Octagonal Socket
16th-17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
With curved triangular blade, octagonal socket with languets. 246 grams, 11.9 cm
Private collection, UK, formed 1980s-1990s. -
Medieval Iron Stirrup and Horse Bit
14th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Comprising: a snaffle bit with single bar and an iron stirrup in a form of elongated D, with an oval-shaped loop at the top, wide openwork footrest slightly curved forward, with decoration at the sides. 467 grams total, 18.5-26 cm
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
Snaffle bits have not altered very much in their design over the centuries. Medieval snaffle bits have survived in reasonable numbers, although they are still rare. A number of different designs are known for them. Some had a plain straight bar serving as the mouth piece, like our example. The 15th-16th century stirrup shows an interesting decoration at the sides of the footrest. -
Mesopotamian Bronze Arrowhead Collection
Circa 1800-900 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
Including leaf-shaped, barbed, and other small types. 330 grams total, 44-90 mm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.
Paddle-shaped arrowheads with a flat, comparatively wide mid-rib and the blade shaped to a point were typical of Old Babylonian Empire. The shoulders were pronounced and the arrowhead had a rectangular section tapering tang.
