Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1016

Luristan Sar-e Gorz Luristan Bronze Macehead

14TH-13TH CENTURY B.C.

2 3/4 in. (279 grams, 70 mm high).

With plain globular body, extended to a small raised ring encircling the top of the mace-head, circular short shaft expanding to a circular flat base.

Provenance

Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.

Literature

For similar examples of maces see Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg (2003), pl.XXXI, no.21 (Luristan).

Footnotes

Caucasian stone and bronze maces were distinguished by modestly finished, clean processed and predominantly close-to-ball shapes (with a variety of surface finishing, ranging from the smooth, ribbed, lobular forms to the rounded with protrusions and spikes), and the Western Iranian maces, especially the Luristan ones, notable for the variety of different forms. Similar mace-heads, probably realised in Luristan, decorated the head of the sceptres of Assyrian kings like Tukulti-Ninurta I (1243-1207 B.C.).

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous 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.

Live Bidding

LOT 1016

Luristan Sar-e Gorz Luristan Bronze Macehead

Estimate £200 - 300€230 - 350 (for guidance only)$270 - 400 (for guidance only)

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • North-Western Persian Type Bronze Blade
    North-Western Persian Type Bronze Blade
    Early 1st millennium B.C.

    Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £50

    With tapering triangular blade, having straight shoulders, flat midrib and tapering square-sectioned tang ending with a rounded pommel. 99 grams, 33 cm



    Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

    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.

    Lot Details

  • Medieval Iron Kidney Dagger
    Medieval Iron Kidney Dagger
    Late 15th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,300

    Featuring a wedge-shaped blade and a lobed handle; the hilt fitted with an iron plate bending down to form points on each side of the blade, pommel with a discoid brass plate decorated with an incised flower motif. 307 grams, 46 cm



    Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

    The term 'ballock dagger' was used in medieval times to describe a dagger with a grip bearing a considerable resemblance to a phallic symbol. It was also called 'kidney dagger' during the Victorian times. The constant characteristic is the presence of two roundish and symmetrical bulbs at the guard, with the grip itself emerging upward between them and flaring slightly towards the top, sometimes being surmounted by a cap.

    Lot Details

  • Luristan Bronze Short Sword
    Luristan Bronze Short Sword
    Circa 1000 B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £312

    The blade with a tapering profile, triangular in overall form, with slender shoulders, penannular guard with strong midrib, flanged hilt with crenellated grip, widening slightly into a fan-shaped pommel, cracked. 421 grams, 42 cm



    Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

    These types of short sword or dirks were usually cast in one piece, and the penannular rib in relief was cast on at the same time with the handle of the blade. In some cases, however, the penannular rib was later cast on the dagger, possibly to strengthen a weak point at the junction of hilt and blade. The flanged hilt was originally inlaid with organic material such as bone.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list