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LOT 0312
Luristan Bronze Spearhead Collection
CIRCA 1000-700 B.C.
13 5/8 - 15 1/4 in. (1.65 kg total, blades: 34.5-38.6 cm).
Group of three tanged spearheads, each with a slender leaf-shaped two-edged blade and midrib, tiered ribbing to the neck, square-section tang with chisel tip; mounted on a custom-made stand. [3]
ProvenanceEx London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s.
London, UK, collection.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13245-252972.
Cf. Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg (2003) in Russian, pl. XXXV, no.21, for the type.
FootnotesSpearheads of this kind were realised by mould casting. They were of different lengths and used by Luristan, Hamadan, early Median and Achaemenid warriors.
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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Luristan Bronze Socketted Axehead
2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
With a long D-shaped blade with a scooped profile and a tubular socket offset at the base. 313 grams, 16 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
Many examples of bronze axeheads are attributed to the Luristan culture and various shapes have been discussed by different scholars. Moorey (1971, pp.39-41) shows similar axeheads, stating that the texts executed on some specimens have shown them made of arsenical bronze, and attributes them to the late 3rd millennium B.C. or 2nd millennium B.C., period in which this alloy was used abundantly. -
Very Large Medieval Socketted Iron Swallow-Tailed Arrowhead
Circa 13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
With elongated swept barbs flanking a butted socket. 29.3 grams, 14.5 cm
Acquired from a USA private collector in the 1990s. Ex Buckinghamshire, UK, collection. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Large, cylindrical body with a domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 770 grams, 13.7 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s. 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'.
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.
