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LOT 0269
Phoenician Bronze Arrowhead with Inscription
CIRCA 12TH-11TH CENTURY B.C.
2 1/2 in. (9.2 grams, 63 mm).
With incised text to the midrib on one face, less well-defined characters to the reverse.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
LiteratureCf. Röllig, W., ‘Onomastic and Palaeographic Considerations on Early Phoenician Arrow-Heads’ in Fantar, M. (ed.), Actes du IIIe Congrès International des Études Phéniciennes et Puniques, Tunis, 11-16 November 1991, Vol. II (1995), pp. 348-355; Elayi J., ‘Four New Inscribed Phoenician Arrowheads’ in SEL, 22, 2005, pp.33-45, pl.IV.
FootnotesThe 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 letters engraved upon our arrow seem to be in the Phoenician alphabet and read ḤŞ’Ḥ’ (arrow of…) on the reverse, and ’Š I Š Q (?) (man of…) on the obverse.
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Circa 11th-7th century B.C.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
Comprising a pair of ram-shaped cheek-pieces with a hole through the body for the straight mouthpiece with looped terminals. 690 grams, 17.5 cm wide
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