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LOT 1060
Luristan Horse Harness Cheekpiece
11TH-8TH CENTURY B.C.
5 1/4 in. (130 grams, 13.5 cm wide).
A bronze cheek-piece element in the form of a righthand side bar, surmounted by two loops for additional straps, ending in a lion's head at the front, the other extremity bending outwards and ending with a conical tip, remains of the iron bar visible on the sides; once belonging to an articulate bit.
ProvenanceAcquired mid 1980s to early 1990s.
Private family collection formed in London, UK.
Cf. Musee' Cernuschi, Bronzes de Luristan, enigmes de l'Iran Ancien, IIIe-Ier millenaire av. J.C., Paris, 2008, p.107, no.62, for similar types.
FootnotesThe association of Psalia in the shape of a bar and with an articulated bit is documented in Assyria, in Media and in central Iran starting from the 10th century B.C., but the zoomorphic elements of this specimen suggest that it was produced in Luristan. The use of articulated bits, which moved inside the horse's mouth, exerting a minimal pressure on the reins, allowed for better control of the mount.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1060
Luristan Horse Harness Cheekpiece
Estimate £400 - 600€460 - 700 (for guidance only)$540 - 810 (for guidance only)
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Roman Legionary Helmet with Inscription
1st century B.C.Estimate: £12,000 - 17,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £6,000
A bronze Montefortino helmet with bulbous domed skull and a plain crest knob with flattened top; plain and flat neck guard with thickened rim; the front with punched Latin inscription 'A N CFN'; the surface largely covered in marine encrustations; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 2.2 kg, 28 cm (4 kg total, 45 cm high including stand)
Private Swiss collection, acquired 2001. 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 searcher certificate no.11576-198953.
This Montefortino specimen belongs to type C or D of Robinson’s classification, also identified under the continental system as Buggenum. The helmets of this category, mainly legionary helmets, were produced in mass by the state to be supplied to the troops fighting in the civil wars of the 1st century B.C. Artistic sources of the same period provide evidence for the use of Montefortino and Buggenum type helmets in sea battles, which has been confirmed by archaeological finds from the Albenga ship. The legionary helmets had inscriptions punched upon them, indicating the name of the wearer and the unit, i.e. cohors, centuria or turma. Here the punched letters 'AN' refer probably to the initials of the owner (Ancus N.?), and 'CFN' to centuria of Fabius C. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
A ceramic vessel with a piriform body and domed mouth, two incised rings to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 470 grams, 10.2 cm
Previously in a private collection since the 1990s. Property of a Sussex, UK, teacher. 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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form. -
Luristan Dagger with Mushroom Pommel
13th century B.C.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
A bronze short dagger with double-edged blade, central rib to both sides, a slender fullered handle with a high conical pommel. 491 grams, 41 cm
UK private collection before 2000. UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
The sword has a solid cast hilt with a straight horizontal guard. However, its main characteristic is the exaggerated mushroom pommel, which resembles the type dated by Moorey to the end of the 2nd millennium B.C. According to some authors, these swords were produced in Northern Iran and dated between 1400-1200 B.C.
