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LOT 1192
Western Asiatic Bronze Spearhead
CIRCA 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
11 1/4 in. (186 grams, 28.5 cm).
Triangular profile with projecting midribs, round shank with raised collar above the square-section tapered tang.
ProvenanceEx German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
LiteratureCf. Gernez, G., L’armament en métal au Proche et Moyen-Orient: des origines a 1750 av. J.C., Paris, 2007, fig.2.88, subtype of tripartite spears L.2.Bc, for the type.
FootnotesThis variant of the tripartite spear is characterised by a rhomboidal or swollen section blade, often with a short intermediate part widened so as to form a clean stop and with a curved tang, sometimes ending in a button (here unfortunately missing). Most spears have medium dimensions (23 cm to 36 cm), but others are elongated (more than 50 cm).
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Marlik Bronze Short Sword with Crescentic Pommel
14th-10th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,300
Formed with a slender triangular blade, raised midrib with flat upper face, penannular guard and scooped shoulders, columnar grip with two gusseted hoops, the upper half of the grip is decorated with vertical lines, the lower part with horizontal grooves, crescent pommel; short sword or dagger. 430 grams, 44 cm
Ex Alexander Cotton collection, Hampshire, UK 1980s.
This short sword or dagger belongs to the category of blades with pennanular guard, with hilt and guard cast in one piece with the grip. This solid weapon has separate sets of encircling ribs on the grip. Negahban excavated similar weapons from the Marlik cemeteries, although sometimes the type combines grip and penannular guard with flanged hilts open to accept inlays. -
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13
Four tanged arrowheads of barbed and leaf-shaped types, including examples with pronounced midribs. 90 grams total, 8.7-14.5 cm
Ex G. White collection, 1990s. -
Large Byzantine Silver Archer's Ring
14th-15th century A.D.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £240
Comprising a hoop with reserved triangular ornament on the edges and triangular plaque with foliage motifs, raised central panel with frond motif. 22.61 grams, 34.77 mm overall, 25.16 mm internal diameter
Acquired in the 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.
Archer rings in Late Byzantium and the medieval Balkans were connected with the employment of the powerful composite bow, but very often, in the 14th century they served as insignia of rank for aristocratic noblemen. Archaeological findings of archers’ rings originate mainly from fortified towns, including mining centres. Many were made in bone, simple in design and undecorated. In contrast, the ones made in bronze and silver were usually decorated in rather uniform style, consisting of floral motifs on the head, mostly tulip and foliage, and linear motifs around the edges. This decoration combined Turkish, Central European and Eastern Roman traditional patterns.