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LOT 1431
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Collection
13TH-6TH CENTURY B.C.
3 - 6 1/4 in. (375 grams total, 7.7-16 cm).
Comprising a variety of tanged triangular and leaf-shaped arrowheads with thick mid-rib, one barbed-and-tanged example. [16]
ProvenanceEx London art market, 1980-1990s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
See Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, pp.289ff, for similar arrowheads.
FootnotesOne category of the represented arrowheads has a sharp, flat blade, the ends of which extend to form wings or barbs, and a prominent midrib extending into a long tang that often has a stop; the blade shape varies from deltoid to more triangular. Another form has no barbs, but it has a prominent midrib extending to the tang, and a narrow leaf-shaped blade.
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AUCTIONS:
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Large Luristan Bronze Dirk
12th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £294
With raised flanges to the grip, possibly to accept organic inserts, tapering triangular blade with a strong mid-rib. 216 grams, 39.5 cm
Acquired in the 1990s. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The dirk belongs to Type IIIa bronze dirks of the Medveskaya classification. It was cast in one piece (hilt and blade). The presence of the mid-rib however represents an exception to the general typology. -
Viking Iron 'ULFBERH+T' Silver and Laten Inlaid Sword
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £16,900
A double-edged Petersen Type X sword, tapering blade with shallow fullers and wide cutting edges, the fuller bearing an inlaid inscription of 'ULFBERH+T' to one side and remains of 'II IXI' (or an interlace pattern) to the other side; the lower and upper-guards, as well as the pommel inlaid with vertical lines of silver and copper, the pommel of tea-cosy type divided into section with well-marked lines. 1.1 kg, 98 cm
Private collection formed in Europe in the 1980s. Westminster collection, central London, UK. 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. 12617-235587. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Roman Julius Caesar 'Battle of Munda' Lead Slingshot
45 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
A biconical facetted lentoid-section lead sling shot (glans), inscription monogram a combination of letters 'C', 'A' and 'E', for 'C A E S' referring to Julius Caesar. 32.7 grams, 33 mm
Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a gentleman collector. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 4th May 2022 and titled 'Roman Res Publica - Lead Slingshots (glandes) of Caesarian Age - 45 B.C circa'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The shot (type IIb of the Völling classification) is marked with the abbreviated name of Julius Caesar; it was used in quantity at the Battle of Munda (or Monda) against the last fellows of Pompey, the leaders of the Optimates, on the 17th March 45 BC. Similar shots were used in the Caesar's wars. The slingers of Caesar's age were part of the light infantry. Caesar speaks of his Balearic slingers during the conquest of Gaul. They wore a short tunic, with leather or rope sandals to the feet, and a warm overcoat which could also have been used to store projectiles. They also used a satchel to carry very deadly lead-like stones or bullets.
