Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0266
Luristan Bronze Short Sword
LATE 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
22 in. (876 grams, 56 cm).
With solid cast hilt with penannular guard and a horizontally ribbed grip; a conical stone mushroom pommel and a multi-fullered blade tapering to a sharp tip; handle repaired.
Provenance
Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Literature
Cf. Khorasani, M. M., Arms and Armor from Iran: The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, pp.394-5, for type.
Footnotes
According to Moorey, such category of swords were distributed in the Northern Iran area, as proved by the Amarlu finds. Based on the example from the Ashmolean Museum, he dated them to the end of the 2nd millennium B.C., more precisely to a period between 1400-1200 B.C.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Piriform body with radiating vertical lugs to the shoulder and decorated panels between, tiered neck, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 977 grams, 20 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards.
Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form. -
Civil War Iron Cannon Ball
Circa mid 17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Solid shot suitable for a saker or demi-culverine. 4.05 kg, 10 cm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. -
Luristan 'Master of Animals' Bridle Bit
Circa 9th-7th century B.C.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,500
Comprising: a square-section bar with the ends scrolled in opposite directions; matched pair of outward-facing detailed openwork castings, each cheek-piece showing a god with a horned head above a figural scene with two opposed human figures in profile advancing towards a column with profile animal heads and other detailing; accompanied by a custom-made stand. 1.17 kg total, 19.5 cm wide including stand
From an old private Japanese collection. Acquired from Shimojo Art, Tokyo, Japan, in 2014. From the private collection of a North West London, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by a previous collection photograph, and the original official Japanese cultural export certificate issued by the Director of Art and Curatorial Division, Cultural Properties Department, Agency for Cultural Affairs, and invoice, dated 7th November 2014. 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 a search certificate number no.12050-217397.
In the Mesopotamian world the forces of chaos are often represented by animals and the gods are seen as the restraining force to these unpredictable powers that could harm the human world. The presence of horns on these figures distinguishes them as being divine and is often found being worn by kings who saw themselves as close to the gods.
