Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group

By Lillywhite Frowd Co of London, fitted with neck fringe, stamped buckled securing strap and wire mesh face and ear panels, padded lining internally marked 'broad arrow-over-67' so likely a military issue. 2.0 kg, 39 cm



Acquired from Manfred Schotten Antiques, 2016. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of Manfred Schotten invoice and listing.

Although masks/helmets of this general form are typically associated with sword fencing, this example is of very heavy construction so possibly for use in protecting while training with a heavier weapon than a foil or epee.

The barbed head with tapering cylindrical stem and biconical lead weight. 85 grams, 15 cm



Ex J. Layne collection, 1990s.

The lead-weighted darts known as plumbatae mamillatae, (or breasted javelin) were short darts mounted upon a shaft, of the same shape, and thrown from a short distance. A Roman soldier would typically carry around 5-6 of these darts at any one time, fastened to the back of his shield. They could be thrown overhand or underhand, with an effective throwing range of up to 60 meters by trained soldiers.

Mixed group of semi-rigid bronze scales with scalloped lower edges, pierced for attachment; together with two small panels of articulated lamina scales. 30 grams total, 10-65 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.

A new form of rigid scale-armour, typified by pieces found in Britannia (Corbridge, Carlisle), Pannonia (Musov), Moesia (Iron Gates) and in various other provinces of the empire, was introduced earlier in the Antonine Period, and continued for all of the 3rd and 4th centuries A.D. The new body protection was realised with scales attached by wire to each of their four neighbouring scales. These new scales tended to be not only very small, but also long and slender and needed to be carefully shaped around the neck.