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LOT 1067
Western Asiatic Bronze Leaf-Shaped Spearhead
EARLY 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
9 1/4 in. (134 grams, 23.5 cm).
Having ovate blade with central rib and slender shoulders, cylindrical short shaft marked by circular grooves broading towards the end, encasing a rectangular tang with a bent end.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Cf.Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg (2003), pl.XXXIII no.82 (Tepe-Hissar, layer
IIIC) for similar weapon;
In the 3rd millennium until the first half of the 2nd millennium in the Near and Middle East, in India, the Caucasus and Central Asia, a stalked tip was used for the spear heads, and this model developed in Mesopotamia in the middle of the 3rd millennium B.C. The main types were with a facetted blade on a volumetric pin and a leaf-shaped blade on a flat handle with holes for rivets. The same models spread almost unchanged to the Caucasus, Anatolia and Bactria.
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:
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LOT 1067
Western Asiatic Bronze Leaf-Shaped Spearhead
Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
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Mongol Silver Belt Mount Group
13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Each with a broader scooped edge tapering to a volute flourish, pellets adorning the perimeter, three medial circular dimples, fourth dimple to the scrolled end, against a field of foliate scrolls and niello fill; each with a set of mounting lugs to the reverse. 25.7 grams total, 40-41 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired in the 1980s-1990s. Ex an important central London gallery, London W1.
Similar plaques have been found in the burial graves of Mongol commanders and their wives, probably once part of a waist belt from which the sabre and other weapons were hanging. They were found together with arms, unique elements of the costume of fabric and leather, and splendid jewellery of gold and silver. -
Medieval Iron Crossbow Bolt Group
Circa 12th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Mainly comprising socketted bolts with tapering a facetted square-section tips. 798 grams total, 5.7-10 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. -
Roman Iron Military Plumbata Head
4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Missile weapon with short iron shaft and square-section barbed head, lead sleeve to the lower end of the shaft. 116 grams, 19 cm
From the collection of B. Posey, UK, 1990s.
The lead-weighted darts known as plumbatae mamillatae, (or breasted javelin) were short darts mounted upon a shaft, of the same shape, and thrown from a short distance. A Roman soldier would typically carry around 5-6 of these darts at any one time, fastened to the back of his shield. They could be thrown overhand or underhand, with an effective throwing range of up to 60 meters by trained soldiers. They could also be fixed upon longer shafts.
