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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.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
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.
FootnotesAccording 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.
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Migration Period Iron Sword with Rock Crystal, Gold and Garnet Sword Bead
5th-6th century A.D.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £600
Comprising a double-edged blade with pointed tip, battle nicks to both cutting edges; short bronze guard and a long tang; accompanied by a facetted rock crystal hilt pendant with a granulated gold mount above, set with a garnet cabochon; Eastern Roman or Alano-Gothic. 750 grams, 4-91.5 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 a search certificate number no.12041-216428.
A characteristic type of the Migration period, originally used by nomadic people such as the Alans and Sarmatians. An important element of these swords was the presence (in tombs) of amber or rock crystal fittings, which some authors have identified being part of the pommel (Zasetskaya), and others as pendants hanging from the hilt of the sword. Interestingly the sword of grave 9 from the Necropolis of Novohryhorivka is decorated with a similar pendant, made of amber and fitted with a silver mount decorated with a filigree border. -
Medieval Socketted Iron Crossbow Bolt Head with Heraldic Shield Maker's Mark
15th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
With pyramidal point, square-section shaft, tubular socket and heater shield displaying a lion passant maker's mark. 46.2 grams, 73 mm
Tucker collection, Buckinghamshire, UK; formed in the 1980s. Property of a Kent lady collector. -
Marlik Bronze Spearhead with Linear Decoration
14th-10th century B.C.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £300
Of triangular shape with projecting midribs with vertical grooves alongside, long folded socketted shaft with eighteen horizontal grooves at the base, hole for attachment to a wooden shaft. 436 grams total, 61 cm high including stand
Ex German collection, 1980s. From a Surrey, UK, private collection, 1990s.
This specimen belongs to the type VIII, subtype B of the Khorasani classification. Similar specimens were excavated in the Marlik Royal cemetery by Dr Negahban. The spearheads of this type are characterised by well projecting mid-ribs and long, folded sockets.