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LOT 1094
Western Asiatic Spearhead
12TH-10TH CENTURY B.C.
16 1/2 in. (375 grams, 42 cm).
A bronze spearhead tapering from shoulders to rounded tip; the short tang tapering to end for insertion into a shaft.
ProvenanceAbelita family collection, 1980-2015.
LiteratureCf. Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran - The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, p.632, cat.283.
FootnotesThis is a type 2 spearhead with a long blade and short tang. The elongated blade had two rivet heads at its base, here effaced by a later restoration. Similar pieces have been excavated in Marlik and Amlash.
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AUCTIONS:
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Volga-Ural Nomad Sabre
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £381
An iron single-edged sabre with slightly curving blade showing battle nicks, evidence of a possible iron extension together with a tongue to the side of the blade, beneath the straight guard. 725 grams, 89 cm
Fine condition.
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. Accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Various sabres of similar typology were found in a complex of medieval nomad weapons in archaeological excavations in the steppe and forest-steppe zone of the Volga-Ural region; chronologically, they were dated to the 9th-11th centuries. -
Levantine Helmet with Opposing Ibexes
8th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,200
A Levantine or Assyrian domed bronze helmet of ovoid shape with slightly pointed top and integral cheek-pieces; chased low-relief decoration to both front and back depicting insignia of a pair of opposing ibexes flanking a small palm tree; the edge with regularly disposed holes for fastening of the leather lining; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 458 grams, 23 cm high (2.36 kg total, 31.5 cm high including stand)
Fine condition, some restoration.
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister. 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 no.11386-190447.
This rare helmet is an unusual example of a conical strap-helmet, linked with similar Greek strap helmets, but until now in the Near East, known only from the Assyrian reliefs. It is shown together with the crested helmets, on the reliefs of Tiglapilaser III and Sennacherib. -
Khazar Sabre with Gilt Cross Guard with Face
9th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,286
A single-edged hand-forged sabre with a gently curving blade, an iron band welded beneath the cross guard, together with a tongue along the side of the blade; the separate gilt cross guard with spherical ornamented finials to the quillons, the central panel with a stylised face flanked by a pair of leaping lions biting the top of the head, the other side with a lozenge within a ropework frame. 610 grams, 80.5 cm
Fine condition.
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. Accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.114437-196034.
This exceptional sabre shows similarity with examples from the Caucasus and Kuban regions. The blade could be Khazar-Magyar, and certainly its best parallels are the specimens from Verchne-Szaltovo area. According to M. Gorelik, some of these sabres were produced by the Kabarians, a breakaway tribe from the Khazar State, who formed an alliance with the Magyars. The extra band welded beneath the quillons, together with the side tongue, not only protected the scabbard from being cut by the blade but, more importantly, defended the warrior’s fingers which were wrapped around the quillons when fighting.
