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LOT 1460
Old Babylonian Bronze Duckbilled Axehead
EARLY 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
4 in. (147 grams, 10.5 cm).
With a curved, beak-shaped blade and two pierced eyes flanking a raised median ridge ellipsoid-section socket; repaired. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; with collection no.BA27; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.
LiteratureCf. Gernez, G., L’armament en métal au Proche et Moyen-Orient: des origines a 1750 av. J.C., Paris, 2007, fig.2.42, type H4b.
FootnotesThis axe corresponds to the type H4B of the Gernez classification. Several of these models, with their moulds, are known from the Levant, like those in Byblos, Ras Shamra, and Tell Arqa. On the other hand, a workshop level II of the Kültepe karum delivered two moulds, showing a local production of arms intended either for export or for the inhabitants originating from Mesopotamia or the Levant. This sub-type of eye-axes is characteristic of the Middle Bronze Age 1 (2050-1750 B.C.).
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Phoenician Bronze Arrowhead with Inscriptions
Circa 12th-11th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Slender leaf-shaped two-edged blade with broad neck and sturdy tang; impressed inscriptions to both faces. 14.2 grams, 10.6 cm
Acquired on the UK art market. Property of an Essex, UK, collector.
The arrowhead seems to carry a Proto-Aramaic or Phoenician inscription like many arrows found in the Levant and Israel. They are usually reporting proper names like ‘Suwar, retainer of Abday’. As far as the function of these arrowheads is concerned, we know that the name inscribed on them was the owner's because successive owner's names were incised on two palimpsest examples. The central rib of this arrow bears on both sides a ten letter inscription, which is relatively deep and firmly incised. The inscription should be read 'ḤŞ…BN…NY = ‘arrow of K…son of…ANAY’. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Blade
Circa 1000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Tapering with rounded shoulders and flattened mid-ribs, tapered square sectioned tang pierced at the tip. 170 grams, 26.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
Moorey, Gordon and Khorasani created a classification of bladed weapons, according to which daggers are edged weapons no greater than 36cm in length, dirks (short swords) are between 36cm and 50cm in length, and swords are edged weapons greater than 50cm in length. -
Luristan Bronze Ribbed Macehead
13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Of Sara Gorz type with cylindrical shaft extended over the top, rounded knobs around the swollen head, flanked by horizontal grooved bands; mounted on a custom-made stand. 367 grams, 83 mm (633 grams total, 19 cm high including stand)
English private collection. with ArtAncient Ltd, 2013. Private collection, London.
