Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1347
Western Asiatic Bronze Javelin Head
LATE 3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.
12 3/4 in. (220 grams, 32.3 cm).
Featuring a tripartite weapon with short, narrow leafy blade, elongated stem decorated by embossed geometric lines and folded tang.
Provenance
Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Literature
Cf. Gernez, G., L’armament en métal au Proche et Moyen-Orient: des origines a 1750 av. J.C., Paris, 2007, fig.2.91, subtype L2 E.a.
Footnotes
The points within this typology are biconvex or leaf-shaped, not very sharp. These types of spears have been found in the tombs of Palestine from Tell el-'Ajjul (tomb 227) to the sites of the central plains and the banks of Jordan: Yavne, 'Ain Samiya, Jebel Qa'aqir, tombs G 83 and M 13 of Jericho, tombs 2100 and 2111 of Lachish. All are dated to the last two centuries of the 3rd millennium.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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 1347
Western Asiatic Bronze Javelin Head
Estimate £250 - 350€290 - 410 (for guidance only)$340 - 470 (for guidance only)
RELATED LOTS
-
Margiana Bronze Axehead
Late 2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £111
With a narrow neck and rounded bill-shaped blade, rounded wings to the socket and square-headed stud behind. 289 grams, 18.3 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1988.
These categories of axes were of Oriental production, coming from the territories of Bactria and Margiana, occasionally imported to Elam and Luristan. The anthropomorphic and zoomorphic patterns are sometimes visible, and the button at the back of the heel (very common) is related to examples from Luristan, but the style differs markedly. -
Large North-Western Persian Bronze Sword Blade
11h-7th century B.C.Estimate: £180 - 240 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £90
With prominently curved guard extending out from the ricasso partly framing the hilt, thick midrib extending slightly above the ricasso. 385 grams, 44 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The hilt of such swords was made separately and unfortunately is nearly always missing from the archaeological records. Similar daggers had a northern Iranian background and excavated examples have been recorded from the South Caspian area from Tomadjan and Ghalekuti. Their chronology ranges from the late 2nd millennium B.C. to the 7th century B.C. -
North-West Persian Bronze Short Sword with Mushroom Pommel
Late 2nd-early 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,600
The hilt with conical openwork hollow-cast pommel, grip decorated with horizontal grooves and twisted zig-zag pattern, crescentic guard decorated with waves, long blade with ridged mid-grip. 613 grams, 58.5 cm
Kuizenga collection, the Netherlands, acquired in Utrecht 21 December 1977. with Bonhams, London, 7 December 2023, no.154.
This category of swords has been classified by Khorasani as 'swords with a mushroom pommel' and are usually characterised by a solid-cast hilt with a penannular guard, a ribbed or variously decorated grip and the conical hollow-cast mushroom pommel. Usually the blade is multi-fullered and tapers to a sharp tip. Moorey considers them to be from the end of the 2nd millennium B.C.