Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1431
Luristan Bronze Spearhead
LATE 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
17 1/4 in. (351 grams, 44 cm).
With ovate blade, central round rib and curved shoulders, the cylindrical long shaft widening towards the end, encasing a rectangular tang with bent tip.
Provenance
Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Literature
Cf. Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, item 277, for the type.
Footnotes
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.
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.
LOT 1431
Luristan Bronze Spearhead
Estimate £100 - 140€120 - 160 (for guidance only)$140 - 190 (for guidance only)
RELATED LOTS
-
Iron Age Celtic Iron Axehead
Britain, circa 4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
With lateral flanges curved inwards to form an open socket, long neck, broad flared blade. 278 grams, 11.5 cm
Found South East England. From the private collection of Kenneth Acquired Coincraft, London, UK. Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; with collection no.IA25; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Spearhead
2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
With foliate blade, rhomboidal in section, raised mid-rib, medium length stem widening at its base and forming a small stop, rectangular-section tang with bent terminal. 595 grams, 41.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The specimen belongs to the category of tripartite spears with long pointed biconvex blade and single bevelled tang. They seem to be a Mesopotamian and Susian (Elamite) variant, and this type also includes decorated blades, like the spear from Tello with the inscription 'King of Kish'. Various specimens have been found in the layers of Tepe Hissar III site. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Piriform missile with domed filler-hole, two rows of ring-and-dot decoration to the upper body, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 422 grams, 11.2 cm
From a specialist London, UK, arms and armour collection, 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.