Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Collection

Egg-shaped with spiked prongs to the socket, narrow, rounded cutting edge. 165 grams, 11.9 cm



From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

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 a 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 would 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 has a narrow edge, and the sleeves have small internal tangs for mounting.

Comprising a leaf-shaped blade with a midrib and a long tapering socket; accompanied by a display stand. 771 grams total, 44 cm including stand



with Art Ancient, London, UK. Private collection, London.

The spear, belonging to type 3 of the Khorasani classification, was used by chariot fighters to strike each other or the enemy infantry from above. Similar specimens with longer sockets were excavated by Negahban in the Amlash area. According to Moorey, sockets as long, if not longer than the blade, are a characteristic of Iranian spearheads in the late 2nd and early 1st millennium B.C. A similar spearhead from the Tappeh Sialk has been dated to the 9th-7th century B.C.

Comprising fourteen tanged arrowheads, mainly barbed and leaf-shaped types. 260 grams total, 5-17 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.