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LOT 1651
Luristan Bronze Spearhead Group
13TH-11TH CENTURY B.C.
10 1/4 - 11 1/4 in. (300 grams total, 26.2-28.7 cm).
Comprising a tanged spearhead with heavily ridged and tapered blade, short collared shaft and square-section tapered tang bent at the tip; a spearhead with foliate narrow blade, short tang with fastening hole.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
See Khorasani M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, items 279,282, for the types.
FootnotesBoth types of spearheads were found in Amlash and Marlik, and are connected with the types 1 and 2 of the Khorasani classification. The type 1 is characterised by a bent tang and was the evolution of a typology which began much earlier in Mesopotamia and the fertile crescent, the type 4 of the Stronach classification, with straight square-section tang, usually thickened at the base with a button tang.
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LOT 1651
Luristan Bronze Spearhead Group
Estimate £100 - 140€120 - 160 (for guidance only)$140 - 190 (for guidance only)
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Amlash Bronze Lancehead
Late 2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
With ovate blade, central rib and curved shoulders, the round-section long shaft tapering towards the flared collar, rectangular-section tang with bent tip. 190 grams, 48 cm
Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Similar spearheads were excavated in Marlik. Negahban stated that based upon the evidence on archaeological finds from West-North Iran, this type of spearhead may be dated to the final centuries of 2nd millennium B.C. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
A piriform missile with dimed filler-hole, ribbed body and a band of stamped S-motifs around the neck, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 560 grams, 14.2 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s onwards. 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Luristan Bronze Dagger Group
Early 1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Comprising three dagger blades, one triangular with three fastening rivets on the ricasso, one with long tapered blade, rounded shoulders and long narrow tang, the third with a slender blade. 264 grams total, 20-29 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Moorey, Gordon and Khorasani created a classification of bladed weapons, according to which daggers are edged weapons not greater than 36cm in length, dirks (short swords) are between 36cm and 50cm in length, and swords are edged weapons greater than 50cm in length.
