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LOT 1527
Luristan Bronze Socketted Spearhead
13TH-6TH CENTURY B.C.
9 in. (12 1/4 in.) (382 grams total, spearhead: 23.1 cm (31.2 cm including stand)).
With a broad leaf-shaped blade, a triangular mid-rib and a tapering tubular socket; accompanied by a display stand.
ProvenanceEx Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
LiteratureCf. Overlaet, B., ‘Luristan metalwork in the Iron Age’ in Stöllner, T., Slotta, R. & Vatandoust, A., (eds.), in Persiens Antike Pracht. Bergbau - Handwerk – Archäologie, Bochum, 2004, pp. 328-338, fig.7, p.335; Khorasani M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, pp.242-243.
FootnotesThe spear belongs to the type VIII classified by Khorasani (spearheads with well-projecting midribs and long folded sockets) and more specifically to subtype C (with leaf-shaped blade and short hollow socket). Usually, the willow-leaf blade has an almost straight shoulder base and a wide, flat midrib tapering towards the point.
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AUCTIONS:
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Luristan Bronze Dagger
13th century B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
With a lentoid-section blade, tongue-shaped in plan, with an integral tapering hilt with flared finial, lateral flanges to accept a panel of bone to each face forming the grip. 185 grams, 32.5 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
The art of Luristan can be described as the art of nomadic herdsmen and horsemen with an emphasis on the crafting of small, easily portable objects, among these a great number of bronze weapons. The rich and noble aristocrats of the Luristan, Elamites, Hurrians, Lullubians, Kutians, and Kassites went to battle splendidly equipped and wore magnificent bronze armour, using maces, spears and daggers as offensive weapons, alongside spears, bows and arrows. -
North-Western Persian Bronze Sword Blade
11h-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
With a prominently curved guard extending out from the ricasso, partly framing the hilt, thick midrib extending slightly above the ricasso. 286 grams, 35.5 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
The hilt of such swords was made separately and, unfortunately, is nearly always missing from the archaeological records. Similar daggers had a northern Iranian background, and excavated examples have been recorded from the South Caspian area from Tomadjan and Ghalekuti. Their chronology ranges from the late 2nd millennium B.C. to the 7th century B.C. -
Roman Bronze Tool with Maker's Mark
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
Comprising a triangular blade with lobes to the angles of the lower edge; narrow neck and tubular socket; stamped '[A]R FEC' (... made [this]). 29.8 grams, 12 cm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Possibly a kitchen tool for scraping; the edge has been roughly sharpened.