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LOT 0293
Pre-Achaemenid Bronze Short Sword with Bifurcated Pommel
CIRCA 8TH CENTURY B.C.
19 5/8 in. (665 grams, 50 cm).
The blade with mid-rib divided in five vertical lines, emerging from the mouth of two stylised lion-heads, the eyes recessed to accept red inlay; the grip and upper part of the blade with incised spiral decoration; the ribbed pommel with twin roundels, each decorated with a recessed six-petalled rosette, traces of red pigment still visible.
ProvenanceEx old English collection.
London art market, pre 2000.
Property of a London, UK, gentleman.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11974-210547.
Cf. Muscarella, O. W., Bronze and Iron: Ancient Near Eastern Artefacts in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, pp.285-286, no.390, fig.282; Christie's, Axel Guttmann collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, Part 2, London, South Kensington, 28th April 2004, lot 32.
FootnotesExamples of swords and daggers with the guard in the form of addorsed animal heads with the blade projecting from the mouths are known from Assyrian reliefs (for example on the orthostats from Tell al Rimah).
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0293
Pre-Achaemenid Bronze Short Sword with Bifurcated Pommel
Estimate £3,000 - 4,000€3,480 - 4,640 (for guidance only)$4,050 - 5,400 (for guidance only)
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Roman Pattern-Welded Iron Spatha with Inlaid Military Figure
Late 2nd-early 3rd century A.D.Estimate: £7,000 - 9,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £3,500
With double-edged blade of Lauriacum Hromówka typology with blood channels running for the most of its length; inlaid figure of standing Mars Ultor wearing armour (statos) and plumed galea helmet, holding a shield (aspis) and a spear; the blade cleaned and conserved on one side. 467 grams, 82 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11922-209659. -
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Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead and Javelin Collection
11th-10 century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Comprising four tanged arrowheads, two with elongated triangular blades and raised midrib, sharp central groove, cylindrical stem with handle for the shaft; one with barbed shoulders and convex sides; one with narrow and flattened blade and short tang; the javelin head with slightly rounded shoulders, lanceolate shape and flattened blade. 164 grams total, 13.1-17.8 cm
From London art market, acquired in 1990s. Ex C.J. Martin, London, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the Spanish export licence.
These types of arrowheads were commonly used in Anatolia and Mesopotamia from the 2nd millennium B.C., but it appears that their employment began earlier in this area, where types like these occur alongside the non-barbed, predominantly ribbed and tanged types. -
Iron Age Celtic La Tene Dagger
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
Featuring a gently curved single-edged iron blade and one-sided fuller, curved handle with knot pommel; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 525 grams total, 35 cm high including stand
Dutch art market. Private collection of K.S., Cologne, Germany, acquired 1996.
One of the military insignia of a Celtic warrior was the war-knife, usually between 33 and 35 cm long. For example, in the collection of Celtic military equipment from Galish-Lovachka, the archaeologists have found a short sword with an X-shaped handle (l = 41 cm), two middle La Tène swords (72.5 and 75 cm long), 12 large curved knives, 27 spearheads, two javelin heads, 14 arrowheads, and nine iron chain belts for hanging a sword. The war-knife was also used for hunting, as a spare weapon, or to cut the throat of an enemy in a surprise attack.
