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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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