Western Asiatic Arrowhead and Blade Collection

Comprising a crescentic blade with two spurs at each end intended to brace against the shaft, a narrow neck, flared socket with vertical spurs and a knop finial projecting from the rear; ribbed decoration on the rear edge; one side of the blade incised with a symbol of the god sun Shamash, depicted as a four-pointed star with wavy rays alternating with straight rays, a winged solar disc inside. 294 grams, 12.7 cm



UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. 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.13043-248308.

This specific type of weapon is called an ‘anchor’ axe because of its shape. Anchor axes have been excavated in Egypt, at Byblos and Ur. Many of them have been said to come from Iran as well, especially from the area of Gilan. The present specimen, in which the shaft hole is joined to the blade by the central tang, is of the same specific type as that excavated in Ur. According to Calmeyer, these axes developed in Mesopotamia. Moorey further explains that the large numbers of these axes reported from Iran could derive from Mesopotamian imports. The Mesopotamian origin of our axe could be further confirmed by the incised motif on the blade, the symbol of the sun god Shamash. The ‘star of Shamash’, typically represented as a four-pointed star with wavy lines placed between the points, is attested as early as the period of Sargon of Accad, who dominated Mesopotamia in 2200 B.C. This symbol can be visible on various Mesopotamian artworks, like the ‘Kudurru’ of Ritti-Marduk at the British Museum; however, dated to 1125-1104 B.C. Another representation is visible on the Tablet of Shamash at the BM, dated 800 B.C. It is also possible, therefore, that the symbol of Shamash was incised on the axe in a later period, but not later than 800 B.C.

A hollow-formed decorative mace or sceptre-head formed as a tubular neck with segmented collar, segmented shoulder above three radiating masks each with exaggerated circular eyes, brow developing to a triangular nose above a crescent mouth; neck developing to a ribbed collar below; mounted on a custom-made stand. 155 grams total, 10.8 cm including stand

Fine condition.

Property of a London gentleman; acquired on the London art market in the 2000s. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.

A two-edged leaf-shaped blade and square-section tapering tang, on one side inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform text: 'Eulmaš-šākin-šumi'; and the other side inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform text: 'É-ul-maš-GAR-MU'; reading (property) 'Of Eulmash-shakin-shumi, king of the world'; there are now seventeen known examples compared to fourteen known in 1968. 9.37 grams, 66 mm



UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13145-248307.

King Eulmash-shakin-shumi was the founder of the 6th Dynasty of Babylon, named the Bῑt-Bazi Dynasty after the Kassite tribal group from which its leaders were drawn. They were possibly situated near the juncture of the Diyala River and the Tigris River. There are discrepancies in the information surviving about his reign; whilst the Dynastic Chronicle states that he ruled for fourteen years, the King List A suggests a rule of seventeen years. The events leading to the king's rise to power unfolded in the context of the chaotic close of the Second Sealand Dynasty, and in the midst of the turmoil inflicted by the famine-induced Aramean migrations. During this period, Eulmaš-šākin-šumi appears to have seized the throne and possibly moved his capital to Kar-Marduk, a hitherto unknown location, and easily defensible. Upon his death, King Eulmash-shakin-shumi was buried in the Palace of Kar-Marduk, the dynastic capital. A 9th century stele relating to temple endowments at Sippar relates that the king restored food offerings to Shamash, and entrusted a garden plot in a part of Babylon known as the 'New City' to the then high priest there. The weapons unearthed with inscriptions such as the one offered here were likely votive, as opposed to military pieces.