Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0295

Luristan Bronze Armour Belt with Double Scroll Terminals

9TH-7TH CENTURY B.C.

8 3/4 in. (330 grams, 22 cm).

A broad hammered military belt or cuirass band with plain surface, the terminals shaped as a double spiral ornament, holes in the centre of both ends for fastening. [No Reserve]

Provenance

UK private collection before 2000.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.

Literature

Cf. Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003, in Russian, for similar belts from Luristan with decorated surfaces (plate LIX, nos.19-20).

Footnotes

The rich and noble aristocrats of Luristan, Elamites, Hurrians, Lullubians, Kutians, and Kassites, went to battle splendidly equipped and used magnificent bronze armours. For metal sheets used for quiver plaques and bronze protective belts or shields, they used the hammering technique (Čakoškāri).

CONDITION

VETTING:

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.

LOT 0295

Luristan Bronze Armour Belt with Double Scroll Terminals

Sold for (Inc. bp): £169

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Byzantine Greek Fire Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    9th-11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £85

    Piriform body with band of impressed roundels to the equator, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 541 grams, 11.7 cm



    From a military inspired collection formed from the 1990s. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.

    Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Greek Fire Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    9th-11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £98

    With domed filler-hole, broad shoulder, alternating bands of crescent impressed detailing; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 242 grams, 10.1 cm



    From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.

    Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

    Lot Details

  • Medieval Iron Stirrup and Horse Bit
    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.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list