Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1195

North-West Persian Bronze Spearhead

1200-1000 B.C.

13 1/2 in. (295 grams, 34.5 cm).

With long tapering blade with rounded shoulders and prominent mid-rib, the tang bent at tip with round stud terminal.

Provenance

Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.

Literature

Cf. Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, s. cat 280, for type; Christies, Axel Guttmann collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, Part 2, London, South Kensington, 28th April 2004, lot 40.

Footnotes

The weapon belongs to the type 1 of the Khorasani spearhead classification, mainly from Marlik or Amlash areas. Similar pieces have been dated by Stutzinger to 1200-1100 B.C., but the period of use is attested to at least until the 1000 B.C.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 1195

North-West Persian Bronze Spearhead

Estimate £100 - 140€120 - 160 (for guidance only)$140 - 190 (for guidance only)

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Tower Long Sea Service Flintlock Pistol
    Tower Long Sea Service Flintlock Pistol
    1800 A.D.

    Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £1,111

    Napoleonic era with 30cm (12") round smooth bore barrel of .56" bore with London proof marks, the lock with 'TOWER', 'crown-over-GR' and 'crown-over-broad-arrow' marks fitted with brass-tipped wood ramrod and wood full stock and butt with brass butt cap, trigger guard, side plate and ferrule with steel belt hook; action working to half and full cock. 1.40 kg, 49 cm



    Acquired from Andrew Bottomley, UK. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the Bottomley listing. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.204079.

    Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the Firearms Act, 1968, to be held as a curiosity or ornament. No license required but buyer must be over 18 years of age. Overseas bidders should note that, due to UK regulations governing export of all firearms, overseas buyers will need to make arrangements for shipping this lot out of the UK directly, by air freight, with a specialist company or agent.

    Lot Details

  • Marlik Bronze Arrowhead Group
    Marlik Bronze Arrowhead Group
    12th-10th century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £156

    Comprising four tanged arrowheads, with large bronze elongated triangular blades and raised midrib, sharp central groove, cylindrical stem with handle for the shaft; three with barbed shoulders and convex sides. 106 grams total, 10.2-15.2 cm



    Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

    Some of these arrowheads seem to belong to the type V, subcategory type C, according to the classification of Khorasani and Negahban. In the four categories of triangular bronze arrowheads from Luristan, Marlik and Northern Iran individuated by Negahban, subtypes C and D of type V are larger arrow or javelin heads, C with barbed shoulders and D with round shoulders.

    Lot Details

  • Urartu Bronze Mace or Sceptre Head
    Urartu Bronze Mace or Sceptre Head
    9th-8th century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £208

    With cylindrical head and narrow flanged base, the head divided in four petals. 490 grams, 60 mm



    Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance.

    Assyrian and Urartian officers are identified by their weapons in the reliefs. It is not so easy to definitely identify cavalry officers on the palace reliefs of the Assyrian kings, but their identification is based mainly on the context they appear in, and on some insignia (mace, sceptre) they carry with them. Hence, the mace was not only a practical weapon, but also a command insignia.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list