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LOT 1114
Luristan Bronze Dirk
CIRCA 1000 B.C.
14 3/4 in. (264 grams, 37.5 cm).
Composed of a leaf-shaped blade with a raised penannular rib and slot below the shoulder connected to the grip with lateral flanges and integral pommel, recessed to accept an organic insert.
ProvenanceFrom an old English collection, formed in the 1980s.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
Cf. Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran - The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tuebingen, 2006, p.380, Cat.12, inventory no.655.
FootnotesThis dirk, cast in one piece mould, belongs to the daggers that Medvedskaya believes support the thesis that majority of them were cast in one piece. However, there are examples where the penannular grip was cast on later on the dagger or dirk.
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:
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Byzantine Iron Horse Bit
14th-16th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £111
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. -
Luristan Bronze Flat Axe
13th-7th century B.C.Estimate: £120 - 170 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £60
Formed with a rounded butt and flared cutting edge; flat in cross-section. 173 grams, 22 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Achaemenid Bronze Arrowhead Group
6th-4th century B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Comprising 29 shafted trilobate and pyramidal points, some with barbs. 108 grams total, 23-36 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The Persians used the bow to forge their empire. They would have used bronze or iron arrows of various types which varied in length from three to four centimetres. Many were trilobite in shape, varying from the simple triangular head, the leaf-shaped head or the triangular head with square-section, tang and directional plumes. The old types, created by the Luristan armourers, were still in use in the Achaemenid period.
