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_900x900.jpg "Sassanian Bronze Spangenhelm")
_200x200.jpg "Sassanian Bronze Spangenhelm")
.jpg "Sassanian Bronze Spangenhelm")
LOT 1169
Sassanian Bronze Spangenhelm
6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
9 in. (1.14 kg, 23 cm high).
Multi-segmented with an ogival profile, rivetted conical finial and riveted straps running vertically around the circumference; some restoration.
ProvenanceUK private collection before 2000.
UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.
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 searcher certificate no.11589-199700.
Cf. Grancsay, S.V., ‘A Sasanian Chieftain’s Helmet’ in Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, April, 1963, pp.253-262, fig.6; Kubik, L., ‘Introduction to studies on late Sasanian protective armour. The Yarysh-Mardy helmet’ in Historia I Świat, nr 5 (2016), pp.77-105, figs.5, 12.
FootnotesThe Spangenhelm is a protective headgear made up from segments or plates held together by a frame. As a popular form of helmet it came to prominence in western Europe in the later Roman Empire, and remained in use for some centuries until replaced by helmets formed from a single sheet.
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Luristan Arrowhead Group
13th-9th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Comprising four tanged arrowheads, having large elongated triangular blades and raised midrib, sharp central groove, rectangular section stem with handle for the shaft, barbed shoulders and convex or squared sides. 161 grams total, 13-17 cm
From the private collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK, 1969-1999; thence by descent.
These arrowheads seem to belong to the type V, subcategory types A and C according to the classification of Khorasani and Negahban. In the four categories of triangular bronze arrowheads from Luristan, Marlik and Northern Iran individuated by Negahban, subtypes A and C of type V are larger arrow heads with barbed shoulders and triangular heads. These types of arrowheads were commonly used in Anatolia and Mesopotamia from the 2nd millennium B.C., but apparently their employment began earlier in this area, where types like these occur alongside the non-barbed, predominantly ribbed and tanged types. -
Ghaznavid Iron Knife with Calligraphic Inlays
10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
Composed of a C-shaped socketted hilt and slender blade with single cutting edge slightly curved towards the tip; the outer face of the socket, the top edge and one side of the blade inlaid with gilt inscription, the other side of the blade displaying two gilt felines. 91 grams, 31.5 cm
London collection since the 1980s. Property of a Canadian family.
The gilding process used on the blade seems to be an exceptionally rare example of what was known in medieval Islamic literary sources as ‘gold water’. The blade seems to have been decorated with a Kufic inscription to three sides. It bears witness to the extraordinary sophistication of the metalworkers and jewellers of this period. -
Greek and Other Bronze Tanged Arrowhead Collection
Circa 12th-4th century B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Comprising three tanged Luristan arrowheads, having elongated triangular blades and raised midrib, sharp central groove, cylindrical stem with handle for the shaft and barbed shoulders; eleven Greek paddle-shaped arrowheads with a flat and wide mid-rib, the blade shaped to a point; a small Persian or Greek foliate arrowhead with a long tang; a flat and foliate bronze arrowhead. 141 grams total, 49-85 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
In Greek warfare, archers were mainly employed by Scythians and Cretans. Both used composite bows made of wood, horn, bone and sinew. The Luristan examples seem to belong to the type V, subcategory C of triangular arrowheads according to the classification of Khorasani and Negahban.
