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LOT 1092
Marlik Spearhead with Pronounced Ridge
14TH-10TH CENTURY B.C.
18 in. (432 grams, 45.8 cm).
A heavy bronze spearhead comprising an oval blade with gently curved shoulders and strong midrib, flat rectangular-section tang tapering to a curved end.
ProvenanceEx Abelita family collection, 1980-2015.
LiteratureSee similar spearhead in Khorasani M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, item 270, for type and p.241.
FootnotesThe spearhead belongs to the type V of the heavy spearheads, similar to the ones excavated by Dr. Negahban in Tomb 47 (Trench XXIIE) of the Marlik necropolis. The heavy spearheads, cast in one piece, usually have an oval blade with rounded gently curved shoulders and a rounded midrib near the tang.
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Viking Period Socketted Spearhead Group
Circa 8th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £663
A group of three short iron spearheads with lentoid-section lanceolate blade, short neck and tapering circular socket with forge-welded split, single hole for attachment pin; remains of wood inside one of the shafts. 578 grams total, 24.5-28.5 cm
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
The spears belong to the type A of the first main group of Viking spears, the so-called Frankish spearheads, which occur between 750 and 950 A.D., but mainly in the 8th and 9th centuries. The Mediterranean influence is still evident on the foliate shape of the blade. -
Large Medieval Iron Axehead
15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
A substantial hand-forged iron axe with D-section socket and broad offset blade, fixed with three nails to the iron handle. 2.3 kg, 33.5 cm
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
The axe corresponds to the type XII of the Glosek classification. The type is known from Poland and Sweden. However, very often these axes were found without context, and generally classified as 15th century A.D. While the axes from Sweden are regarded as weapons, and dated 14th century A.D., the long and thickened back of the axe is rather characteristic of a butcher's axe, or of an executioner's axe. -
Roman Sling Shot Group
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
A lentoid-section lead slingshot (glans) specimen group. 185 grams total, 29-34 mm
Found Roding, Essex, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK.
Similar shots were used in the civil war among Pompey and Caesar, and in all of Caesar's wars. The funditores of Caesa'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.
