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LOT 1434
Luristan Bronze Axehead
3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.
3 in. (192 grams, 75 mm).
With a short blade flaring towards the cutting edge, rounded projection to the butt, rolled ridge around the shaft hole.
ProvenanceUK private collection before 2000.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.
Cf. Mahboubian, H., Art of Ancient Iran, copper and bronze, London, 1997, p.166, fig.172a, for identical type; Gernez, G., L’armament en métal au Proche et Moyen-Orient: des origines a 1750 av. J.C., Paris, 2007, p.146, fig.2.12, subtype H2.F.a.
FootnotesThe type corresponds to the Gernez type H.2.Fa, of axes with symmetrical collar, rear hump and rectangular blade. The exact provenance of only three axes of this type outside Luristan are known, mainly in Elam: one was found at Tepe Giyan, a second comes from a pit tomb in Susa and the last, a miniature, belongs to level VI of Tepe Gawra, dated to the last third of the 3rd millennium B.C. All the others are known as originating from Luristan.
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Western Asiatic Bronze Short Sword with Mushroom Pommel
Late 2nd-early 1st millennium B.CSold for (Inc. bp): £780
The hilt with mushroom-shaped pommel, round grip, crescentic guard, long sloping blade with rectangular sectioned mid-ridge. 1.04 kg, 56.5 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.
This category of swords has been classified by Khorasani as 'swords with a mushroom pommel' and are usually characterised by a solid-cast hilt with a penannular guard, a ribbed or variously decorated grip and the conical hollow-cast mushroom pommel. Usually the blade is multi-fullered and tapers to a sharp tip. Moorey considers them to be from the end of the 2nd millennium B.C. -
Mesopotamian Bronze Arrowhead Collection
Circa 1800-900 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Including triangular-section, barbed, paddle-shaped, and other types. 353 grams total, 4-12 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.
Paddle-shaped arrowheads with a flat, comparatively wide mid-rib and the blade shaped to a point were typical of Old Babylonian Empire. The shoulders were pronounced and the arrowhead had a rectangular-section tapering tang. They are the majority in this group, which comprises also barbed triangular arrowheads of type V from Marlik-Luristan, and one interesting specimen of trilobate arrowhead. -
Iron Age Celtic Iron Axe and Spearhead Displays
Circa 2nd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Comprising a spearhead with leaf-shaped blade and raised triangular mid-rib, short tapering open socket with inside wood remains, and a forged axe with folded rectangular-section open socket and flared crescent-edge blade. 791 grams total, 11.2-22.5 cm
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
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