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LOT 1666
Western Asiatic Bronze Blade Group
25TH-11TH CENTURY B.C.
7 - 10 1/4 in. (207 grams total, 18-26 cm).
Comprising two bronze spearheads with a short tang and flat midrib, a dagger pointed blade with short tang and two rivets in the shoulders which slope to a narrow tang. [3]
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Cf. for the short spearheads Negahban, E., Weapons from Marlik, Berlin, 1995, plate IX, no.117; Khorasani M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, item 283, for type; for the dagger blade Maxwell-Hyslop, R., 'Daggers and swords in Western Asia: a Study from Prehistoric Times to 600BC,' in Iraq, Volume 8, 1946, pp.1-65, pl.I, type 5.
FootnotesThe spearheads belongs to type 2 of spearhead according to the classification of Khorasani. A similar specimen was excavated by Negahban in Marlik. The dagger blade belongs to the type 5 of Maxwell-Hyslop classification, with pointed blade, straight sides and curved section.
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A piriform missile with domed filler-hole, raised vertical ribs and impressed teardrop-shaped motifs to the body, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 547 grams, 15.3 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s onwards. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Cased Luristan Arrowhead Collection
Circa 11th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Including leaf-shaped and barbed types in a glazed frame. 1.1 kg, 33.5 x 38.5 cm
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Ethiopian Coptic Iron Halberd
15th-17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
Single-edged crescent-shaped blade equipped with two curved pins with holes for attachment to a wooden shaft. 308 grams, 23.2 cm
Ex USA private collection, 1970s-1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The blade belongs to the category of crock-backed blades, as classified by Flinders Petrie. More ancient fine Coptic examples are engraved with zigzag lines, a cross, fishes, and vine pattern. The iron halberd, viii, may be of some later date. The iconography of the medieval churches in Ethiopia suggest that these weapons were used as ceremonial halberds, and worn by guardsmen of rulers and bishops. A form similar to these halberds was used as a hoe in South Africa.
