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LOT 1400
Western Asiatic Bronze Tanged Spearhead
3RD-2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
123 5/8 in. (423 grams, 34.5 cm).
With long blade, shallow midrib, rectangular-section tang; engraved, reinforced shaft, and squared shoulders.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
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 F.c.
FootnotesAccording to Gernez, this spear belongs to the group of tripartite spears with bulging biconcave ogival blade, a marked stop and tang, usually curved. The tomb KCG 14 of Carchemish, yielded a similar example, in association with spears and ceramic dated from the second half of the 3rd millennium. A very similar spear comes from a tomb at Tell Mozan. A larger example with a decoration of rings in relief on the stem belongs to the λ deposit of Byblos. Another spear, of similar form, presents a decoration of vertical lines on the stem. It was found in the tomb of the Lord of the Caprids at Ebla, making it the most recent in the series (around 1750 B.C.).
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Turco-Mongol Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
A hollow ceramic vessel with cylindrical body, carinated shoulder, short neck and domed mouth; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 519 grams, 17 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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 piece was a sort of ceramic fire grenade, similar to the ones used by the Eastern Romans but of Turco-Mongol type. Apart from the use of manual flame-throwers, special corps of soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. -
Luristan Bronze Dagger
13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Triangular blade with rib below the shoulder connected to the grip with lateral flanges and integral pommel, recessed to accept an organic insert 228 grams, 34 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1988. -
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
13th-6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Comprising tanged arrowheads of leaf-shaped and barbed types, most with midribs. 182 grams total, 64-13.5 cm
Acquired 1990s. From the collection of a late Japanese weaponry collector.
Although some of them different in shape, these arrowheads are apparently related types of a polythetic group. There are represented two basic deltoid forms: one has a sharp, flat blade, the ends of which extend to form wings or barbs, and a prominent midrib extending into a long tang that often has a stop; the blade shape varies from deltoid to more manifestly triangular. The other form has no barbs, but it has a prominent midrib extending to the tang, the blade narrow and leaf shaped.
