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LOT 0298
Luristan Bronze Horse Bit
9TH-8TH CENTURY B.C.
6 7/8 in. (543 grams, 17.5 cm).
The cheekpieces formed as winged deer with horns and small ears, a circular opening to the body for the bar to pass through, two loops and studs to the reverse; the bar with looped circular terminals.
ProvenanceEx old English collection.
London art market, pre 2000.
Property of a Lonodon, UK, gentleman.
Cf. Haerink, E., Overlaet, B., 'Finds from Khatunban B – Badavar Valley (Luristan) in the Iran Bastan Museum' in Iranica Antiqua, January 2004, pp.105-168, pl.5, for a similar.
FootnotesThe most admirable horse bits ever created by man are undoubtedly those from Luristan, a province which extended along the valleys that make up the central part of the Zagros mountains. Worked in cast bronze with the lost wax process, they almost always had a rigid cannon in round or square bars which were flattened and rolled up around themselves at the ends, but their exceptional feature were the figural side bars. The local metalsmiths, in a period of time between 1200 and 700 B.C. managed to create an infinite number of typologies: horses, oxen, ibex, roosters and various mythological animals.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Iron Spatha with Remains of Scabbard and Chape
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With a double-edged blade of Illerup-Wyhl Type, narrow parallel cutting edges tapering towards the point; remains of wooden scabbard on the blade and remains of wooden grip on the hilt; accompanied by a crescent-shaped iron chape. 1.02 kg total, 6.5-94.5 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11924-209661.
The iconographic sources indicate that Roman swords changed in the later 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D. Longer swords, which were more popular within Germanic and Celtic cultures and more useful for fighting on horseback, were soon widespread among infantry units and mass-produced in the Roman workshops. They were brought home by foreigners after mercenary or auxiliary service in the Roman army. This, together the possibility of war booty, may explain why a great number of these swords have been found in the distant areas such as Nydam Mose, Eisbøl and Illerup Adal, all in modern Denmark. -
Viking Age Baltic Iron Wide-Bladed Axehead
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With narrow T-shaped blade with curved edge, large round socket with lateral triangular flanges and rectangular extension to the rear. 785 grams, 18 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
The Curonians were known as fierce warriors and sailors who were involved in several wars and alliances with the Swedish, Danish and Icelandic Vikings. Baltic tribes created an original and impressive set of weaponry. They included battle knives, battle axes and spears and javelins with medium sized heads of a characteristic shape. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
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Piriform body with domed filler-hole, raised vertical flanges to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 535 grams, 11.9 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'.
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