Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1430

Western Asiatic Bronze Spearhead

2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.

16 1/4 in. (595 grams, 41.5 cm).

With 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.

Provenance

Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.

Literature

Cf. Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003, in Russian, see pl.XXXIII, no.82, from Tepe Hissar.

Footnotes

The specimen belongs to the category of tripartite spears with long pointed biconvex blade and 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'. Various specimens have been found in the layers of Tepe Hissar III site.

CONDITION

VETTING:

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 1430

Western Asiatic Bronze Spearhead

Estimate £100 - 140€120 - 160 (for guidance only)$140 - 190 (for guidance only)

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Medieval Iron Dagger Relic
    Medieval Iron Dagger Relic
    14th-15th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £403

    Comprising a slender lozenge-section blade, drooping quillons, long tang and large spherical pommel. 221 grams, 36.5 cm



    Acquired on the UK art market circa 2005. From an old North Country, UK, collection.

    Lot Details

  • Turco-Mongol Greek Fire Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    14th-15th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £85

    Cylindrical in form with tapering foot, three radiating vertical flanges to the body with ribbing between, carinated shoulder with impressed points, domed mouth. 587 grams, 17 cm



    From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 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'.

    Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

    Lot Details

  • Byzantine Greek Fire Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    9th-11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £98

    Piriform ceramic missile with domed filler-hole, concentric circle decoration to the body, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 788 grams, 13.8 cm



    From a specialist London, UK, arms and armour collection, 1990s. 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'.

    Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list