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LOT 1099
Luristan Short Sword Blade
CIRCA 13TH-6TH CENTURY B.C.
15 in. (880 grams total, 38 cm wide including stand).
With a broad, lentoid-section blade and wide raised flange down centre, rounded tip, straight sides, well marked shoulders with narrow tang, one hole for rivet to attach an organic hilt; mounted on a custom-made stand. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-1990s.
From the private collection of H.N., Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, UK.
See Maxwell-Hyslop, R., Daggers and swords in Western Asia: a Study from Prehistoric Times to 600BC, in Iraq, Volume 8, 1946, pp.1-65, pl.II, type 12.
FootnotesThis kind of weapon was used in the early 2nd millennium B.C. in Mesopotamia and in Syria and as late as the mid-first millennium in Luristan.
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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Pre-Achaemenid Bronze Short Sword with Bifurcated Pommel
Circa 8th century B.C.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,400
The blade with mid-rib divided in five vertical lines, emerging from the mouth of two stylised lion-heads, the eyes recessed to accept red inlay; the grip and upper part of the blade with incised spiral decoration; the ribbed pommel with twin roundels, each decorated with a recessed six-petalled rosette, traces of red pigment still visible. 665 grams, 50 cm
Ex old English collection. London art market, pre 2000. Property of a London, UK, gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11974-210547.
Examples of swords and daggers with the guard in the form of addorsed animal heads with the blade projecting from the mouths are known from Assyrian reliefs (for example on the orthostats from Tell al Rimah). -
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Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead and Javelin Collection
11th-10 century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Comprising four tanged arrowheads, two with elongated triangular blades and raised midrib, sharp central groove, cylindrical stem with handle for the shaft; one with barbed shoulders and convex sides; one with narrow and flattened blade and short tang; the javelin head with slightly rounded shoulders, lanceolate shape and flattened blade. 164 grams total, 13.1-17.8 cm
From London art market, acquired in 1990s. Ex C.J. Martin, London, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the Spanish export licence.
These types of arrowheads were commonly used in Anatolia and Mesopotamia from the 2nd millennium B.C., but it appears that their employment began earlier in this area, where types like these occur alongside the non-barbed, predominantly ribbed and tanged types. -
Roman 'Pompey the Great' Lead Slingshot
1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Biconical lead slingshot (glans) with inscription in Latin letters 'CN' (Cneius) 'MAG' (Magnus) on one side, and 'IMP' for 'IMPERATOR' (victorious general) to the other side, i.e Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus Imperator (Pompey the Great the victorious general). 47 grams, 39 mm
Ex M.Cummings, UK, 1990s.
The shot (Völling type 1C) is marked with the abbreviated name of Gnaeus Pompey; it was used in quantity at the Battle of Monda (or Munda) against Julius Caesar, 17th March 45 BC. The projectiles were made of different materials: lead (glandes) or in pottery or stone (lapides missiles). Sometimes they were signed with the name of the general, like our specimen.
