Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group

With cylindrical head and narrow flanged base, the head divided in four petals. 490 grams, 60 mm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance.

Assyrian and Urartian officers are identified by their weapons in the reliefs. It is not so easy to definitely identify cavalry officers on the palace reliefs of the Assyrian kings, but their identification is based mainly on the context they appear in, and on some insignia (mace, sceptre) they carry with them. Hence, the mace was not only a practical weapon, but also a command insignia.

Composed of arched openwork shanks with looped terminals; one end fitted with large hoops and bar between; one end with a tripartite mouthpiece comprising two collared bars connected by a central hoop; Byzantine or early Ottoman. 340 grams, 19.5 cm

Fine condition.

Collection of Dr. Hanns-Ulrich Haedeke (1928-2017), author of ‘Schmuck Aus Drei Jahrtausenden’ and who became the director of the Museum of Klingenmuseum in Solingen, Germany, in 1968; the collection was formed in the early 1960s. From an important private Dutch collection.

This type of horse bit is visible on one of the most important equestrian artworks of the 15th century - the Cappella dei Magi by Benozzo Gozzoli, a painting representing the Three Kings visiting Christ, depicted in costumes belonging to the early quarter of 15th century. All the cavalrymen in the artwork had heavy curb-bits (with short and curved shanks, as in our specimen) and heavy, single reins.

Single and double action twelve shot 9mm calibre revolver with 13cm (5¼") round barrel with extractor rod mounted at right and hinged loading gate with Liege proof marks and marked 'CAL 9mm' to right frame with serial number 2676; fitted with plain wood scale grips and lanyard ring (usually fitted to revolvers intended for military use); action working well. 975 grams, 25 cm



Acquired from Bolk Antique Arms, Netherlands, 2016. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by Bolk invoice and details.

Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the Firearms Act, 1968, to be held as a curiosity or ornament. No license required but buyer must be over 18 years of age. Overseas bidders should note that, due to UK regulations governing export of all firearms, overseas buyers will need to make arrangements for shipping this lot out of the UK directly, by air freight, with a specialist company or agent.