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LOT 1094
Luristan Bronze Axehead
12TH-11TH CENTURY B.C.
6 7/8 in. (939 grams, 17.5 cm).
With elliptical socket and slightly flaring cheeks with cutting edge.
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
The axe corresponds to the Maxwell-Hyslop Type 20A, similar to specimens from Ordu and purely Asiatic in inspiration. An axe from Giyan has a distinct shaft tube which is not present on the Ordu axe, but the shape of the blade is similar and it is probable that smiths travelling over the Eastern Anatolian and Persian trade routes were responsible for making these typologies of axes.
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AUCTIONS:
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Viking Age Iron Socketted Spearhead
11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Type N leaf-shaped slender blade, with flattened transition area between blade and socket, continuing far up onto the blade. 255 grams, 39 cm
Ex private collection of Mr M.B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1980s. Acquired from the above, 2004.
The spearheads of type N were a minor group in the Viking spearheads, found throughout the whole of the 10th century A.D. They make up circa 10% of the Viking Age spears. -
North-West Persian Bronze Short Sword with Blood Channels
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
Shaped as a two-edged bronze blade, leaf-shape with short rectangular tang with fastening hole, corrugated midrib extending almost to the tip and flared at the shoulder. 439 grams, 44.2 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The metalworking techniques used in making bronze weapons in Luristan were very complex. Surfaces were often finished in repoussé work, and some of the weapons were chased and others engraved. Many of the graves dating from the era of Kassite hegemony contain bronze and iron artefacts, including various type of weapons. These swords with shallow fullers tapering to a sharp tip have been dated by P.R.S. Moorey to the end of the 2nd millennium B.C. -
Luristan Bronze Short Sword
Circa 1000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
The blade with a tapering profile, triangular in overall form, with slender shoulders, penannular guard with strong midrib, flanged hilt with crenellated grip, widening slightly into a fan-shaped pommel, cracked. 421 grams, 42 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
These types of short sword or dirks were usually cast in one piece, and the penannular rib in relief was cast on at the same time with the handle of the blade. In some cases, however, the penannular rib was later cast on the dagger, possibly to strengthen a weak point at the junction of hilt and blade. The flanged hilt was originally inlaid with organic material such as bone.
