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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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AUCTIONS:
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Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
14th-10th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Comprising tanged arrowheads, including barbed and leaf-shaped examples. 158 grams total, 8-10.5 cm
Acquired 1990s. From the collection of a late Japanese weaponry collector.
The arrowheads seems to belong to the subtypes A and B of the Khorasani classification. They are mainly small triangular arrowheads with rounded and barbed shoulders. Some have angular or rounded midribs. The characteristic is also the cylindrical stem and the rectangular-sectioned tang. Many similar arrowheads were found in the Marlik excavations. -
Large Roman Socketted Iron Spearhead
3rd-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
With a large triangular blade, fitted with a central shallow groove, squared shoulders and a socketted shaft. 834 grams, 46.5 cm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
This spear was probably part of the armament of the Imperial Guards of the late Roman Empire. Similar spears are visible on the recently found reliefs of Nicomedia, in the hands of a protector divini lateris (guard of the Divine Flanks) of the Emperor Diocletian (Agturk, 2021, p.115) and other Imperial infantrymen. The same kind of spear is visible on a recently discovered sarcophagus of a protector of Diocletian, Tziampo, from the same locality. -
Roman Pattern-Welded Iron Sword
3rd-4th century A.D.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
A Spatha with double-edged blade of Osterburken-Kemathen Type, fullers with damask pattern (rosette damask technique B.II.I.2), sturdy tang with remains of wood; the blade cleaned and conserved on one side. 659 grams, 85.5 cm
Excellent preserved blade
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 11923-209660.
