Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1451

Margiana Bronze Axehead

LATE 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.

7 1/4 in. (289 grams, 18.3 cm).

With a narrow neck and rounded bill-shaped blade, rounded wings to the socket and square-headed stud behind.

Provenance

Ex Abelita family collection, 1988.

Literature

Cf. Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003 (in Russian), pl.XXI, no.84, from Afghanistan; Cf. Gernez, G., L’armament en métal au Proche et Moyen-Orient: des origines a 1750 av. J.C., Paris, 2007, fig.2.16, subtype H2.J.b.

Footnotes

These categories of axes were of Oriental production, coming from the territories of Bactria and Margiana, occasionally imported in Elam and Luristan. The anthropomorphic and zoomorphic patterns are sometimes visible, as well as the button at the back of the heel (very common) are related to examples of Luristan, but the style differs markedly.

CONDITION

VETTING:

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 1451

Margiana Bronze Axehead

Estimate £300 - 400€350 - 460 (for guidance only)$410 - 540 (for guidance only)

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Greek Bronze Socketted Spear with Iron Head
    Greek Bronze Socketted Spear with Iron Head
    12th-10th century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £85

    With foliate head and short tubular socketted shaft. 119 grams total, 15 cm



    Ex German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.

    Snodgrass assigns the Athenian iron spearheads to the type A, i.e. spearheads with a leaf-shaped blade, a long socket and a midrib running to the tip. The bronze ones were assigned to typologies C – small, with a leaf-shaped blade (like the present specimen) - and D – with the socket as long as the blade, rounded shoulders and pronounced midrib. Both socket types were beaten round a cylindrical bar, a conservative method to produce bronze sockets even if the head was made of iron.

    Lot Details

  • Very Large Tanged Bronze Spear
    Very Large Tanged Bronze Spear
    1900-1650 B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £124

    Each side rising to a pointed ridge, curved tang for attaching to a shaft. 1.06 kg, 73 cm



    From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

    The characteristic point is the hooked tang, the end of which was fitted with a button. The spear was inserted into a wooden barrel and then held in place with a series of leather laces (Gernez, 2007, p.312).

    Lot Details

  • Large Western Asiatic Bronze Socketted Axehead
    Large Western Asiatic Bronze Socketted Axehead
    3rd-2nd millennium B.C.

    Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £75

    With wide swept blade, large socket with shallow raised circumferential rib, hammer to the rear. 1.34 kg, 19 cm



    Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

    Lot Details

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