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LOT 1465
Scythian Bronze Arrowhead Collection
CIRCA 7TH-3RD CENTURY B.C.
1 3/8 - 2 3/8 in. (126 grams total, 35-62 mm).
Each with a slender, lozenge-shaped blade and a socket extending near the tip, base of the socket with a side lug. [20, No Reserve]
ProvenanceUK private collection before 2000.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.
Cf. Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003, in Russian, for similar arrowheads from Eurasian sites (plate XLIV, nos.19,31,32,36,37,38,39,51,71).
FootnotesIn the Greek warfare archery mainly employed Scythians and Cretans for the longer-ranks. Both used composite bows made of wood, horn, bone and sinew. This explains the great range of Scythian arrowheads also found on the Greek sites.
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AUCTIONS:
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Saxon and Roman Iron Military Spur Display
Circa 2nd-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Comprising a Roman U-shaped spur with lateral lugs and prick spur; an Anglo-Saxon iron spur with barley twist body and small terminals. 254 grams total, 82-83 mm
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
The Romans employed a light spur (calcar) made of bronze or iron, U-shaped and barely covering the heel. To the rear of the spur was a small point, and this form continued to be in use through the early Medieval period. The Saxon spurs were very similar to the Roman examples, although slightly larger and with a more spiked point. -
Viking Age Iron T-Shaped Axehead
10th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Narrow T-shaped blade with curved edge, large D-shaped socket with lateral triangular flanges and rectangular extension to the rear. 588 grams, 17 cm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
Slavic battle-axes also came into use in Scandinavia, especially in the Eastern part of Gotland, Denmark and Sweden. One of the types was a T-shaped axe with a broad blade. There were narrow-bladed types too, described as being very light. Another characteristic of some of the Eastern axes was an extra long hammer or more rarely a secondary blade protruding from the back of axehead. -
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Mesopotamian Copper Double Rein Guide for a Chariot
Circa mid 3rd millennium B.C.Estimate: £8,000 - 10,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £4,444
In the form of an advancing stallion on a plinth, holding its head high and gazing to the right; short standing mane with incised detailing, and a long tail extending to the plinth; recessed eyes, likely once inlaid, drilled nostrils and open mouth; the plinth joined at a right angle to two connected rings atop three parallel rods, the rods joined at the bottom to an arching bar with side lugs. 603 grams, 28.5 cm
Acquired from Toufic Arakji, Hamburg, Germany, 14 January 1997. with Mahboubian Gallery, London, UK. Property of a London gentleman. Accompanied by an academic 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 a search certificate number no.12160-218627.
This magnificent chariot fitting was cast in one piece, probably made in arsenical copper in Mesopotamia in the Early Dynastic Period (ED). The reins were connected to the head harness and then passed through the rein ring, that was connected to a yoke pole. The purpose of the rein ring was to prevent the multiple reins snarling and also added an element of control for the driver. The lower concave bar was tied onto the pole by rope or leather, while the hooks served to secure the ends. These rein rings were not only practical instruments, but also ornamental elements of royal vehicles. A well-known example of this type is a terret crowned by an equid figure that was associated with Pu-abi’s sledge in the Royal Cemetery at Ur, today at the British Museum, inv.121438.
