Loading, please wait...
LOT 1378
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
13TH-6TH CENTURY B.C.
2 1/2 - 5 3/8 in. (182 grams total, 64-13.5 cm).
Comprising tanged arrowheads of leaf-shaped and barbed types, most with midribs. [10]
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s.
From the collection of a late Japanese weaponry collector.
See Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York,1988, pp.289ff. nos.396,398-400,410,416, for similar arrowheads; Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, items 449, 467, for types.
FootnotesAlthough some of them different in shape, these arrowheads are apparently related types of a polythetic group. There are represented two basic deltoid forms: one 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 manifestly triangular. The other form has no barbs, but it has a prominent midrib extending to the tang, the blade narrow and leaf shaped.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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.
-
'The Customs House' Tudor Inscribed Iron Hammer-Head
16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Octagonal in section with one tapering end and one flat, circular end; square punch marks to one face in a pattern: '10B'. 2.82 kg, 24.2 cm
Found Thames foreshore, Customs House, London, UK, on Thursday 9th November 2006. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.LON-D6B085. -
Luristan Sara-Gorz Bronze Macehead
Circa 2000-1300 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
With long tubular shank and four hefty bulbs surrounding the shaft. 456 grams, 22.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. Accompanied by an earlier catalogue identification card.
This rare and unusual mace finds parallels with similar pieces published by Slotta, Vatandust, and Moorey. The dating varies between 21st and 14th century B.C. Western Iranian maces, especially the Luristan ones, were notable for the variety of different forms. According to Dr D. Nicolle the gorz or mace was primarily used as an armour breaking weapon since ancient times, and was very common on the Iranian plateau. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £176
Piriform body with thick ribs to the shoulder and impressed panels between, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 708 grams, 15 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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.