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LOT 0222
Luristan Sword Blade
LATE 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
22 in. (876 grams, 56 cm).
A bronze sword with solid cast hilt with penannular guard and a horizontally ribbed grip; a conical stone mushroom pommel and a multi-fullered blade tapering to a sharp tip; handle repaired.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Cf. Khorasani, M. M., Arms and Armor from Iran: The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, pp.394-5, for type.
FootnotesAccording to Moorey, such category of swords were distributed in the Northern Iran area, as proved by the Amarlu finds. Based on the example from the Ashmolean Museum, he dated them to the end of the 2nd millennium B.C., more precisely to a period between 1400-1200 B.C.
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Western Asiatic Arrowhead with Phoenician Letter
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
A slender leaf-shaped copper-alloy arrowhead with rectangular-section tang, bent over forming a loop; Phoenician letter stamped to one face of the head. 10.1 grams. 90 mm
Acquired 1969-1999. London collection of the late Mr S.M., thence by descent. -
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Roman Julius Caesar Sling Shot from the Battle of Munda
45 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
A biconical facetted lentoid-section lead sling shot (glans), the inscription monogram a combination of letters 'C', 'A' and 'E', for 'C A E S' referring to Julius Caesar. 62.67 grams, 37 mm
Fine condition.
Found near to an important village site, close to Seville, 1960-1970. From an old Spanish collection. Swiss private collection. Accompanied by a copy of the Spanish export licence. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 4th May 2022 and titled 'Roman Res Publica - Lead Slingshots (glandes) of Caesarian Age - 45 B.C circa'.
The shot (type IIb of the Völling classification) is marked with the abbreviated name of Julius Caesar; it was used in quantity at the Battle of Monda (or Munda) against the last fellows of Pompey, the leaders of the Optimates, on the 17th March 45 BC. Similar shots were used in the civil war among Pompey and Caesar, and in all of Caesar's wars. The funditores of Caesar's age were part of the light infantry. Caesar speaks of his Balearic slingers during the conquest of Gaul. They wore a short tunic, with leather or rope sandals to the feet, and a warm overcoat which could also have been used to store projectiles. They also used a satchel to carry very deadly lead-like stones or bullets. -
Luristan Sar-e Tabar Socketted Axehead
2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £111
A bronze axe with plain cylindrical socket and staff, off-set at the base, of simple undecorated shape with a long lentoid-section D-shaped blade with scooped profile. 465 grams, 18 cm
Fine condition, regular patina on the surface.
Earlier 20th century collection. London Mayfair gallery, UK. Dr D.G. collection, 1990s-2019.
Many examples of bronze axeheads are attributed to the Luristan culture and various shapes have been discussed by different scholars. Moorey (1971, pp.39-41) shows similar axeheads, stating that the texts executed on some specimens have shown them made of arsenical bronze, and attributes them to the late 3rd millennium B.C. or 2nd millennium B.C., period in which this alloy was used abundantly.
