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LOT 0331
Phoenician Bronze Arrowhead with Inscriptions
CIRCA 12TH-11TH CENTURY B.C.
4 1/8 in. (14.2 grams, 10.6 cm).
Slender leaf-shaped two-edged blade with broad neck and sturdy tang; impressed inscriptions to both faces.
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK art market.
Property of an Essex, UK, collector.
Cf. 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 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’.
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LOT 0331
Phoenician Bronze Arrowhead with Inscriptions
Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Piriform in profile with domed mouth, circumferential band of impressed arcading to the shoulder. 380 grams, 11.5 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.
Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form. -
Luristan Bronze Spearhead
Early 2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Having foliate blade with central rib and slender shoulders, short rectangular shaft and tang with a bent end. 412 grams, 42.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
A number of similar blades, some considered to be spearheads and others to be daggers, all with bent tang, derived from Tepe Hissar Culture III. Some of them, like our specimen, have a button terminal, some others have a plain, pointed terminal. The general dating of these specimens is fixed to the early 2nd millennium B.C. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Spearhead
2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
With foliate blade, rhomboidal in section, raised mid-rib, medium length stem widening at its base and forming a small stop, rectangular-section tang with bent terminal. 595 grams, 41.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The specimen belongs to the category of tripartite spears with long pointed biconvex blade and single bevelled tang. They seem to be a Mesopotamian and Susian (Elamite) variant, and this type also includes decorated blades, like the spear from Tello with the inscription 'King of Kish'. Various specimens have been found in the layers of Tepe Hissar III site.
