Luristan Bronze Arrowhead

Formed with a long triangular blade, thick midrib with parallel fullers, rectangular guard, long tang with folded end. 668 grams, 73 cm



Acquired on the London art market, prior to 1980s. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.

This sword finds a good parallel with a bronze sword with bell-shaped pommel, today in the National Museum of Tehran. Originally these swords had separately made hilt which was then cast on the blade. These swords were more typical of the North-West Persian territory, especially in the Amlash and Gilan areas.

Comprising a hoop with reserved triangular ornament on the edges and triangular plaque with foliage motifs, raised central panel with frond motif. 22.61 grams, 34.77 mm overall, 25.16 mm internal diameter



Acquired in the 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

Archer rings in Late Byzantium and the medieval Balkans were connected with the employment of the powerful composite bow, but very often, in the 14th century they served as insignia of rank for aristocratic noblemen. Archaeological findings of archers’ rings originate mainly from fortified towns, including mining centres. Many were made in bone, simple in design and undecorated. In contrast, the ones made in bronze and silver were usually decorated in rather uniform style, consisting of floral motifs on the head, mostly tulip and foliage, and linear motifs around the edges. This decoration combined Turkish, Central European and Eastern Roman traditional patterns.

Each scale B-shaped, slightly convex sides, two equally spaced circular holes along the straight edge. 55 grams total, 19-38 mm



The Kusmirek Collection, UK.

This object is not typical of 'squama' which usually has scales that are rectangular with one rounded end, and numerous attachment holes at the square end in pairs. However, it can be a type widespread in the post Roman age, with various specimens found in Britain (PAS SWYOR-CA6BBB, BM-95F434 and NCL-34BE90.