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LOT 0316
Massive Late European Bronze Age Finely Ribbed Socketted Spearhead
CIRCA 10TH CENTURY B.C.
17 3/4 in. (449 grams, 45 cm).
Formed with an elongated leaf-shaped blade, the socket extending into the blade in the form of a tapered mid-rib with decorative raised central grooves.
ProvenanceAcquired from John Cummings, UK, in 1988.
Ex Lord Alistair McAlpine collection.
Cf. Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 1, London, 2002, pp.10-11, no.5, for similar spearhead.
FootnotesThis spear seems to have parallels to those found in the tombs of the 'sword bearers' of central-southern Europe, an aristocratic class of the Urn Fields civilisation who had its last period of splendour between 10th-9th centuries B.C. The weapons were deposited with various objects inside incineration graves, but the spears were often ritually damaged (see tomb 5 of the necropolis of Pontenuovo di Gazzo Veronese, broken into three parts). Our spear, in the upper part, seems to show traces of oxidation due to the fire of the funeral pyre, and probably came from a tomb.
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LOT 0316
Massive Late European Bronze Age Finely Ribbed Socketted Spearhead
Estimate £800 - 1,000€930 - 1,160 (for guidance only)$1,080 - 1,350 (for guidance only)
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British 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Officer's Sword
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,040
Composed of a curved blade with broad fuller, facetted steel stirrup hilt and grip retaining its original wire-bound leather; accompanied by the sword's steel scabbard. 1.7 kg, 1.01 m
Acquired from Military Swords Ltd, UK, 2015. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the purchase invoice and item details. -
Medieval Bronze Archer's Ring
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Incuse geometric detail to the hoop, flange with wheel motif. 10.19 grams, 34.62 mm overall, 20.76 mm internal diameter (approximate size British W 1/2, USA 11 1/4, Europe 25.66, Japan 24)
English collection, early 2000s. Ex central London gallery. -
Massive Late European Bronze Age Finely Ribbed Socketted Spearhead
Circa 10th century B.C.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
Formed with an elongated leaf-shaped blade, the socket extending into the blade in the form of a tapered mid-rib with decorative raised central grooves. 449 grams, 45 cm
Acquired from John Cummings, UK, in 1988. Ex Lord Alistair McAlpine collection.
This spear seems to have parallels to those found in the tombs of the 'sword bearers' of central-southern Europe, an aristocratic class of the Urn Fields civilisation who had its last period of splendour between 10th-9th centuries B.C. The weapons were deposited with various objects inside incineration graves, but the spears were often ritually damaged (see tomb 5 of the necropolis of Pontenuovo di Gazzo Veronese, broken into three parts). Our spear, in the upper part, seems to show traces of oxidation due to the fire of the funeral pyre, and probably came from a tomb.
