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LOT 0262
Scythian Chalcidian Helmet with Embossed Stags
3RD-1ST CENTURY B.C.
9 1/8 in. (696 grams, 31cm high).
Chalcidian or Illyrian variant (Caucasian type), constructed from two halves with the right side overlapping the left, embossed ram horns on the brow, with a profile image of a stag to both sides; hinged cheek-pieces with regularly disposed holes to the outer edges; some restoration.
ProvenanceAcquired on the European art market, mid-1980s.
Private collection, Oxford, UK.
From the collection of a London doctor.
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.12339-228100.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Cf. Rabinovich, B. Z., Trudy Otdela istorii pervobytnoi kul’tury Gosudarstvennogo Ermitazha (Works of the Department of history of prehistoric culture of the State Hermitage) I, Leningrad, 1941, pp. 99-171; Erlikh, V. R., Rossiiskaia Arkheologiia (Russian Archaeology) (3), 1996, pp.176-179 (in Russian); Chernenko, E.V., The Scythians 700-300 BC, Hong Kong, 1998; Shevchenko, N.F., Zaitsev, Yu. P., Mordvintseva V. I. in Vestnik drevnei istorii (Bulletin of Ancient History) (1), 2011, pp.115-152 (in Russian); Симоненко А. В., 'Шлемы сарматского времени из Восточной Европы (Sarmatian Age Helmets from Eastern Europe)', in Stratum Plus, no. 4, 2014, pp.249-284; Negin, A.E., Negin, A. E., 'Pozdnerimskie shlemy s prodol'nym grebnem', in Germania-Sarmatia II, Kaliningrad-Kursk, 2010, pp.343–58; Hixenbaugh, R., Ancient Greek Helmets, a complete guide and catalogue, New York, 2019, nos.H303-H304.
FootnotesThe cultural interchange and the military contacts between the Nomads of Kuban and the Hellenic peoples allowed the Sindo-Meothic, Scythian, or Sarmatian noblemen to equip themselves with such beautiful defensive equipment. The helmet finds its closest parallel in a specimen published by A.E. Negin, belonging to the Puskin Fine Arts Museum of Moscow, originally in the collection of S. Karakowskij (Negin, 2010, p.354 no.6; Hixenbaugh H304). Some of the helmets of this type were modified according to the nomadic (Scythian or Sarmatian) taste, being decorated with religious elements, like the deer.
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Mesopotamian Bronze Javelin Head
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
With foliate blade, raised mid-rib, medium length stem widening at its base and forming a small stop, rectangular-section tang with bent terminal. 184 grams, 46.7 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
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'. -
Luristan Bronze Blade
1200-1100 B.C.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £130
With a long pointed triangular blade and a short tang, two rivet holes at the base of the blade. 193 grams, 36.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The Luri people produced a quantity of fine metalwork, which according to Dr. Khorasani, could be due to a settled period which arose as a result of the defeat of the Elamites by the Babylonians, leaving the Luristani people in relative peace for a period of time after 1200 BC. According to Khorasani 'A culture of innovation and experimentation flourished, and the repertoire of the Luristan smiths expanded in the period between 1150–1050 BC.' -
Western Asiatic Bronze Short Sword with Integral Hilt
Late 3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
With a broad, lentoid-section flat blade, rounded tip, sloping sides, well marked shoulders with short, wide tang. 881 grams, 42 cm
Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The sword has similarities with a specimen from the Royal Cemetery of Ur. This is the most primitive form of dagger, consisting of a simple, pointed blade having slightly convex outline shoulders sloping to a short tang which has no rivets, and was probably hafted to wood with bitumen.
