Medieval Iron Incendiary Fire Arrowhead with Pierced Cross

Including triangular, leaf-shaped, barbed and other types. 450 grams total, 9.5-15.5 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

With lentoid-section blade, tongue-shaped in plan, with integral tapering hilt with flared finial, lateral flanges to accept a panel of bone to each face forming the grip. 195 grams, 33.5 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

The art of Luristan can be described as the art of nomadic herdsmen and horsemen with an emphasis on the crafting of small, easily portable objects, among these a great number of bronze weapons. The rich and noble aristocrats of the Luristan, Elamites, Hurrians, Lullubians, Kutians, and Kassites, went to battle splendidly equipped and wore magnificent bronze armour, using maces, spears and daggers as offensive weapons, alongside spears, bows and arrows.

Openwork belt fastening-plate comprising: square frame with parallel bands of ropework, a tall conical boss with basal flange at each corner; central figure of an advancing horse with head bowed, hollow to the reverse, with braided halter to the neck and bridle to the muzzle; incised ring-and-dot motif to shoulder and hip; above the horse's back a small quadruped with head turned to face the viewer, triangular muzzle and two curved horns (perhaps an ibex); openwork vegetation around the beasts and between the horse's legs, long-tailed animal gripping the halter (perhaps a squirrel); fixing loop and triangular catch to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made stand. 752 grams total, 24.5 cm high including stand



German art market. European private collection, 1970s-early 2000s. Acquired from the above; thence by descent. Private collection, London, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12284-221444.

Many bronze belt fittings of this type are in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, (Muscarella, 1988, items 581-4). Muscarella (p.440) notes that a total of 181 were known at the time of his publication (1988).