Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1098
Large Western Asiatic Socketted Bronze Axehead
LATE 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
7 1/2 in. (1.16 kg, 19.2 cm).
Composed of flared cheeks, convex cutting edge and lentoid-shaped socket with raised circumferential rib and butt, with a vertical rib to the rear.
Provenance
Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Literature
See Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg (2003), pl.XXII, nos.30,39 (Artik and Nalchik, in Caucasus), for similar.
Footnotes
In the 2nd millennium B.C., in the Caucasus area, variants of axes with a curved horizontal blade and a tubular eye developed. The simplest variants of these types were borrowed through the north of Ciscaucasia by the inhabitants of the Eurasian steppes. In the steppes, war axes became, around the middle of the 2nd millennium B.C., the most powerful bronze weapons, spreading far to the east.
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
-
Medieval Bronze Dagger Quillon with Scallop Shell
Circa 13th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
With four-lobed finials, slot to the body, short arm with D-shaped scallop guard. 41 grams, 52 mm
Acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s. Property of a Stowmarket, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Inscribed Lead Slingshot Group
17 March 45 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Comprising four scaphoid lead slingshots (glandes), each with traces of low-relief inscription(s) referring to 'CN P[OMPEIUS]'. 216 grams total, 37-50 mm
Ex M.Cummings, UK, 1990s.
These shots (mainly of type IIb of the Völling classification) are marked with the abbreviated name of Cn.Pompeius; they were used in quantity at the Battle of Monda (or Munda) against the Caesarian troops, by the followers of Pompey, on 17th March 45 B.C. Similar missiles were used in the civil war between Pompey and Caesar, and in all Caesar's wars. The projectiles of the slingers could be in lead (glandes) or in pottery or stone (lapides). Sometimes they were signed with the name of the general, or used to report some injuries, for example the sling missile found in Alesia with the name of Labienus. -
Luristan Sar-e Tabar Socketted Axehead
2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
With plain cylindrical socket and staff, off-set at the base, of simple undecorated shape with a long lentoid-section D-shaped blade with scooped profile. 465 grams, 18 cm
Earlier 20th century collection. Mayfair, London gallery, UK. Dr D.G. collection, 1990s-2019.
Many examples of bronze axeheads are attributed to the Luristan culture and various shapes have been discussed by different scholars. Moorey (1971, pp.39-41) shows similar axeheads, stating that the texts executed on some specimens have shown them made of arsenical bronze, and attributes them to the late 3rd millennium B.C. or 2nd millennium B.C., period in which this alloy was used abundantly.