Loading, please wait...
LOT 1793
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead or Javelin Head with Inscribed X
LATE 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
4 1/2 in. (15.17 grams, 11.34 cm).
Leaf-shaped with two cutting edges and a broad point, low midrib, on the face an incised 'X' in a square.
ProvenanceEx Guttman collection, Germany.
with Christie's, 28 April 2004, no.27 (part).
Acquired from Bidancient and Artifacts UK, 2009.
Ex important collection of Greek artefacts, London, UK.
Cf. Milik, J.T., Cross, F.M. and Cross, Jr., 'Inscribed Javelin-Heads from the Period of Judges: A Recent Discovery in Palestine' in Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, No. 134 (Apr., 1954), pp. 5-15, fig.1, for similar inscribed javelin or arrowheads.
FootnotesThe letter X has been found in various Semitic/Accadic or even Philistine Inscriptions in the Levant: dated between 13th-10th centuries B.C.: on the Lachish bowl no.1, on the Ruweiseh arrowhead, on a Byblian bronze spatula, on the Ahiram graffito, at Yehimilk. This suggests that the arrow or javelin head has been made in the Levant or the Fertile Crescent.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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 1793
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead or Javelin Head with Inscribed X
Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
-
Luristan Bronze Tanged Short Sword
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Substantial blade with rounded shoulders and a short rectangular-section tang. 355 grams, 42.7 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
Luristan was hardly an ethnic or political entity, but the people of Luri had relations through warfare and trade with Sumerians, Lullubi, Assyrians, Babylonians and Elamites over a long period of time, spanning from the 3rd to the 2nd millennium B.C. The ruling elites of warrior horsemen were buried in the graves with their weapons and horses. -
Luristan Bronze Socketted Spearhead
9th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Comprising a tapering tubular socket with raised ribs, a triangular blade with a raised midrib; ferrel collars to the shaft. 80 grams, 18.6 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
These kinds of spearheads were realised by casting in a mould. They were of different lengths and used by Luristan, Hamadan, early Median and Achaemenid warriors. The bronze rings were destined to reinforce the structure of the bronze shaft, because the blow, with this spear, was usually delivered by grasping the spear with two hands. -
Mesopotamian Bronze Tanged Javelin
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
With a foliate blade, rhomboidal in section, raised mid-rib, medium-length stem widening at its base and forming a small stop, rectangular-section tang with bent terminal. 194 grams, 46 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
The specimen belongs to the category of tripartite spears with a long, pointed biconvex blade and a 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'.