Western Asiatic Crescentic Axehead

A bronze cheek-piece element in the form of a righthand side bar, surmounted by two loops for additional straps, ending in a lion's head at the front, the other extremity bending outwards and ending with a conical tip, remains of the iron bar visible on the sides; once belonging to an articulate bit. 130 grams, 13.5 cm wide

Fine condition.

Acquired mid 1980s to early 1990s. Private family collection formed in London, UK.

The association of Psalia in the shape of a bar and with an articulated bit is documented in Assyria, in Media and in central Iran starting from the 10th century B.C., but the zoomorphic elements of this specimen suggest that it was produced in Luristan. The use of articulated bits, which moved inside the horse's mouth, exerting a minimal pressure on the reins, allowed for better control of the mount.

A bronze sword with a broad double-edged blade with a central ridge on both sides, square bronze hilt with goblet-shaped pommel surmounted by a disc. 725 grams, 51 cm

Fine condition.

Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

Bimetallic swords (some examples are entirely cast in iron and others entirely cast in bronze) with disc pommel, slender cylindrical grip and tapering blades of this type are among the most common types of daggers / swords in Northern Iranian graveyards. This type has occasionally been referred to as the 'cotton reel' pommel, as below the flat circular pommel there is a second, a rather wide disc, and a plain or incised cylindrical grip in between.

A two-edged parallel-sided iron blade with broad pointed tip, battle nicks to both cutting edges; accompanied by a discoid agate pommel. 823 grams total, 3.5-83 cm

cleaned and conserved

Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.