Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0234

Urartian Bronze Cuirass Belt with Animals

8TH-7TH CENTURY B.C.

13 3/4 in. (6.4 kg total, 35 cm high including stand).

Displaying two repoussé registers of animals including lions, antelope and birds processing right between geometric borders, stylised flower heads to one terminal; attachment perforations to upper and lower edges; one rounded terminal, one terminating with a narrow arm and D-shaped lug; mounted on an adjustable custom-made display stand.

Provenance

UK private collection before 2000.
UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.

Accompanied by an academic report by 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.11745-202242.

Literature

Cf. Есаян, С. А., ‘Погребения VI-V вв. до н. э. в горах Шамшадина’ (Esayan, S.A., Burials of the VI-V centuries BCE in the mountains of Shamshadin) in СА, 1965, 3, pp.229-232; Born H., Seidl U., Schutzwaffen aus Assyrien und Urartu, Sammlung Axel Guttmann IV, Mainz, 1995, AG427, fig.93, AG502 fig.128; see Gorelik, M., Weapons of the Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003.

Footnotes

Protective belts were very popular in the Caucasus, especially among the Urartians, decorated with geometric motifs, or with images of warriors, animals, hunting and mythological tales. They were regarded as a personal item and eventually buried with the warrior.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0234

Urartian Bronze Cuirass Belt with Animals

Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,160

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Post Roman Squama Armour
    Post Roman Squama Armour
    5th-9th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £65

    Each scale B-shaped, slightly convex sides, two equally spaced circular holes along the straight edge. 55 grams total, 19-38 mm



    The Kusmirek Collection, UK.

    This object is not typical of 'squama' which usually has scales that are rectangular with one rounded end, and numerous attachment holes at the square end in pairs. However, it can be a type widespread in the post Roman age, with various specimens found in Britain (PAS SWYOR-CA6BBB, BM-95F434 and NCL-34BE90.

    Lot Details

  • Mexican Iron and Brass Rowel Spur
    Mexican Iron and Brass Rowel Spur
    19th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £20

    With pierced crescent motifs to the shank, free-running star-shaped rowel and geometric engraving to heelband with lozengiform terminals. 349 grams, 22 cm



    Acquired from Czerny's Auctions, Italy, 2016, lot 390. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by copy of Czerny's invoice and lot details.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Iron Anti-Cavalry Caltrop Trivoloi Group
    Byzantine Iron Anti-Cavalry Caltrop Trivoloi Group
    11th-14th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £169

    Comprising three caltrops, hand-forged with square-section in the form of four welded arrowheads. 34 grams total, 50 mm each



    Acquired on the German art market around 2000. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.

    Caltrops were a kind of 'landmine' of the ancient world an mentioned in the Classical period. Nevertheless, they turned into real military weapons only in Dark Ages. Their systematic and wide use by the Eastern Romans, who called it tribolos, is noticeable. In 1082, Emperor Alexios Komnenos used caltrops against the Norman cavalry in the Balkans. Anna Komnena tells us in detail of her father’s intentions: ‘He marched against Bohemond with a new idea for victory. He had iron caltrops made and since he expected the battle to take place on the next day, the evening before scattered them over the plain between the two armies at the point where he guessed that the Kelts (the Normans) would make a heavy cavalry attack. The plan was to frustrate the first and irresistible charge when the caltrops pierced the horses’ hooves.’ Unfortunately for the Romans the Normans avoided battle on the ‘minefield’, outflanked the enemy and gained victory.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list