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_900x900.jpg "Mesopotamian Copper Double Rein Guide for a Chariot")
_200x200.jpg "Mesopotamian Copper Double Rein Guide for a Chariot")
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LOT 0292
Mesopotamian Copper Double Rein Guide for a Chariot
CIRCA MID 3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.
11 1/4 in. (603 grams, 28.5 cm).
In the form of an advancing stallion on a plinth, holding its head high and gazing to the right; short standing mane with incised detailing, and a long tail extending to the plinth; recessed eyes, likely once inlaid, drilled nostrils and open mouth; the plinth joined at a right angle to two connected rings atop three parallel rods, the rods joined at the bottom to an arching bar with side lugs.
ProvenanceAcquired from Toufic Arakji, Hamburg, Germany, 14 January 1997.
with Mahboubian Gallery, London, UK.
Property of a London gentleman.
Accompanied by an academic 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.12160-218627.
See a similar terret ring in Muscarella, O.W.,Bronze and Iron, ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, no.466; Basmachi, F., Treasures of Iraq Museum, Baghdad, 1976, pl.90; for a similar terret in silver and electrum at the British Museum, from Ur, see Crouwel, J.H., ’Wheeled Vehicles and their Draught Animals in the Ancient Near East – an Update’ in Raulwing, P., Linduff, K.M., Crouwel, J.H., Equids and Wheeled Vehicles in the Ancient World, Oxford, 2019, pp.29-48, fig.6; for the mounting on chariots and carts see Stillmann, N., Tallis, N., Armies of the Ancient Near East, 3000 BC to 539 BC, Worthing, 1984, pp.119-121, figs.56-58.
FootnotesThis magnificent chariot fitting was cast in one piece, probably made in arsenical copper in Mesopotamia in the Early Dynastic Period (ED). The reins were connected to the head harness and then passed through the rein ring, that was connected to a yoke pole. The purpose of the rein ring was to prevent the multiple reins snarling and also added an element of control for the driver. The lower concave bar was tied onto the pole by rope or leather, while the hooks served to secure the ends. These rein rings were not only practical instruments, but also ornamental elements of royal vehicles. A well-known example of this type is a terret crowned by an equid figure that was associated with Pu-abi’s sledge in the Royal Cemetery at Ur, today at the British Museum, inv.121438.
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LOT 0292
Mesopotamian Copper Double Rein Guide for a Chariot
Estimate £8,000 - 10,000€9,280 - 11,600 (for guidance only)$10,800 - 13,500 (for guidance only)
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Cased Roman to Medieval Arrow Teaching Aid Collection
1st century A.D.-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Comprising: a Roman ballista bolt with a pyramidal head; a 15th century iron swallowtail arrowhead; three iron medieval crossbow bolts, with pyramidal point, square-section shaft, tubular socket; two medieval ballista bolts with pyramidal point, square-section shaft, tubular socket; two triangular-shaped arrowheads, with pyramidal head; a triangular Eastern Roman bladed arrowhead with a slightly raised mid-rib; a small Anglo-Saxon arrowhead with lozenge form blade and round socket; all mounted on reconstructed modern shafts with their feathered directional lugs, and presented in a wooden display box. 3.83 kg total, 104 x 22 x 9.5 cm including case
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
Crossbow and bows were the protagonist of the 100 Years War between France and England. The crossbow, a bow fixed at its centre to a wooden stock, was a formidable weapon used by the Genoese crossbowmen, mainly in French service; its heavy bolt could easily penetrate a shield or armour breast plate at close range. The longbow, mainly used by the Welsh archers, was able to pierce armours at greater distance. During the reign of Edward III, the long bow distance was estimated to be 400 yards. The capability of the English and Welsh archers enabled the English to secure a victory over the powerful French Cavalry at the battles of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt. -
Medieval Bronze Macehead
Circa 12th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Spherical in profile with very broad vertical socket, lattice-pattern to the sidewall forming low studs. 262 grams, 50 mm
Private collection, Arundel, West Sussex, UK, 1975-late 1990s. -
Norman Iron Prick Spur
11th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
With abruptly curved arms ending in two loops, the prick with biconvex bulb. 52 grams, 12 cm
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
The spur belongs to Western specimens of the 12th century, with more or less strongly curved spurs and short, strong, lowered spikes, whereby the majority of the spurs already have loops instead of rivet plates.
