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LOT 1057
Marlik Decorated Spearhead
14TH-10TH CENTURY B.C.
21 3/4 in. (562 grams, 55 cm).
A bronze spearhead with projecting midribs, long folded socket, decorated by concentric horizontal lines at the base and beneath the blade, horizontal triangles and vertical grooves along the shaft; triangular blade with round shoulders, ornamented by vertical lines running parallel to the midrib; pair of holes on the lower part of the shaft for attachment to a wooden haft.
ProvenanceEx important Japanese collection, 1970s-2010.
LiteratureSee similar typology in Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran - The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, p.626, cat.271.
FootnotesThe spearhead, cast in one piece, belongs to the type VIII, subtype B (triangular blade) of the Khorasani classification. Similar spearheads were excavated by Dr Negahban in the Marlik necropolis (tomb 1, trench III D) and are preserved in the National Museum of Iran, Teheran.
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Luristan Sword Blade
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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. 876 grams, 56 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
According 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. -
Cased Flintlock 'Knife and Fork' Gun Pair
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,160
A pair of smooth-bore flintlock pistols of about 5mm bore formed as a knife and fork (two tines) set; with steel blades (the knife with a profile bust maker's mark) with the pistols contained within the brass foliate engraved handles, firing to the rear; each fitted with finely made steel single action flintlock mechanism to sides; contained in the original velvet-lined mahogany case with hinged lid and brass catches; actions in working order. 1.31 kg total, case 30 x 13 cm
Acquired Peter Wilson Auction, 2020, lot 13. Property of a Kent collector. Accompanied by lot ticket.
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Migration Period Spatha Sword Blade with Sword Bead
Circa 4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
A double-edged spatha with a lentoid section parallel-sided iron blade with pointed tip; battle nicks to both cutting edges; rhomboid-section cross-guard; a fastening nail on the upper tang; accompanied by a sword bead. 921 grams total, 2.7- 86.5 cm
cleaned and conserved.
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
A Migration Period sword, originating from Central Asia, often used by nomadic populations and particularly by the Huns, defined as a Nomadic-Asiatic sword by Menghin, or as a sword with plate guard. The long and thin blade, with a lenticular or lozenge section, was equipped with a guard composed of an iron plate inserted into the tang. Little is known about the scabbard of these swords but it is known that they usually had disc-shaped pommels, and stones hanging from the pommel or hilt. This typology was widespread in Central Europe by the Huns and there are also specimens attested in Gaul in the 5th century.
