Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Collection

Egg-shaped with spiked prongs to the socket, narrow rounded cutting edge. 148 grams, 13.2 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

The 'claw mace' was an enigmatic ancient bronze weapon from the Bronze Age Near East. The hollow bulbous head was trailed by tines of varying lengths. It is believed that it was affixed over a wooden shaft and used like a club in combat, and not necessarily used as ceremonial weapon. The knife-edge bulb end could have broken bones and proven to be a formidable striking weapon requiring no skill to wield. The tines would have not only been decorative, but have served to add strength below the striking end to prevent breakage. In battle, maces were often used by commanders to display rank when giving orders in battle and leading soldiers, inspiring leadership and power. Egg-shaped with spiked sleeves or prongs, the top of the weapon with a narrow edge, the sleeves with small internal tangs for mounting.

With slightly carinated equator to the globular body and tubular shaft. 377 grams, 91 mm



From the collection of North West London, UK, gentleman, early 2000s.

Comprising: two large triangular arrowheads with barbed shoulders and rounded midrib; one large arrowhead with lanceolate head and rounded shoulders. 94 grams total, 12.5-16.1 cm



Acquired in the 1990s. Ex Abelita family collection.

The arrowheads belong to the type V of the classification of Khorasani: subtype D (triangular arrowheads with rounded or angular midrib) and subtype C, arrowheads with elongated, triangular shape with barbed shoulders and convex sides, and a raised midrib with a sharp central line.