Late Bronze / Early Iron Age Decorated Bronze Socketed Spearhead
01
day
06
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34
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29
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Current bid
€ 300
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 1,400 - € 1,700
 | €300 | |
|---|---|---|
| €280 | |
 | €260 | |
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Decorated bronze socketed spearhead from the Late Bronze / Early Iron Age, circa 1200–800 BC, 58 cm long and 274 g, in very good condition with green and brown patination, acquired in 2026 from an auction house in France.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Monumental Decorated Bronze Socketed Spearhead – Late Bronze / Early Iron Age – 58 cm
Culture: Middle Eastern
Period: Late Bronze Age – Early Iron Age
Date: circa 1200–800 BC
Material: Bronze
Object: Decorated socketed spearhead
Length: 58 cm
Weight: 274 g
Description
An exceptionally large bronze socketed spearhead belonging to the ancient metallurgical tradition of middle Eastern.
The weapon is characterised by an extremely long and narrow double-edged blade, reinforced by a pronounced longitudinal central midrib. At the base of the blade are two distinctive rounded lateral expansions, below which begins an exceptionally long hollow socket.
The socket was formed by folding the bronze around the original wooden shaft, with the longitudinal seam still clearly visible. Immediately below the blade it is embellished with carefully executed geometric decoration consisting of opposed diagonal incisions arranged in herringbone or chevron patterns and divided into decorative registers.
Long socketed spearheads with pronounced central ribs and geometrically decorated sockets are documented within the bronze weapon traditions of middle Eastern during the transition from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age.
The remarkable length of 58 cm, together with the elaborate decoration, gives the weapon a particularly monumental appearance.
The attribution to middle eastern is based on typological comparison. No specific archaeological findspot is documented.
Condition: Archaeological condition. Extensive green and brown patination, mineral deposits and surface oxidation. Ancient losses and wear along the cutting edges. The long socket is longitudinally open and presents cracks and losses, particularly towards its terminal end. No restoration should be assumed unless specifically documented. Please refer carefully to the photographs.
References: comparable long-socketed and decorated bronze spearheads from Western Iran/Luristan are documented in museum collections and in the published corpus of Iranian bronze weaponry.
Seller's Story
We are a gallery specialising in ancient art and archaeology, founded on a deep passion for history and the civilisations of the past.
Our work focuses on the research and careful selection of material evidence from the great civilisations of antiquity, with a particular interest in the Classical world, Etruscan, Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures, and the Ancient Near East.
Our philosophy is rooted in the pursuit of objects that stand out not merely for their age, but also for their rarity, distinctive forms, historical significance and artistic merit. We favour unusual and carefully selected antiquities, often offering fascinating insights into lesser-known aspects of ancient civilisations.
Each object is thoughtfully selected and studied for its historical, stylistic and archaeological characteristics, with the aim of offering collectors authentic pieces of particular interest.
We believe that every antiquity holds a story, and that our role is to preserve, appreciate and pass on these remarkable testimonies of the past to a new generation of collectors.
Expertise, research, discerning selection and a passion for the ancient world are the principles that guide our work.
Every object has a story to tell.
Translated by Google TranslateMonumental Decorated Bronze Socketed Spearhead – Late Bronze / Early Iron Age – 58 cm
Culture: Middle Eastern
Period: Late Bronze Age – Early Iron Age
Date: circa 1200–800 BC
Material: Bronze
Object: Decorated socketed spearhead
Length: 58 cm
Weight: 274 g
Description
An exceptionally large bronze socketed spearhead belonging to the ancient metallurgical tradition of middle Eastern.
The weapon is characterised by an extremely long and narrow double-edged blade, reinforced by a pronounced longitudinal central midrib. At the base of the blade are two distinctive rounded lateral expansions, below which begins an exceptionally long hollow socket.
The socket was formed by folding the bronze around the original wooden shaft, with the longitudinal seam still clearly visible. Immediately below the blade it is embellished with carefully executed geometric decoration consisting of opposed diagonal incisions arranged in herringbone or chevron patterns and divided into decorative registers.
Long socketed spearheads with pronounced central ribs and geometrically decorated sockets are documented within the bronze weapon traditions of middle Eastern during the transition from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age.
The remarkable length of 58 cm, together with the elaborate decoration, gives the weapon a particularly monumental appearance.
The attribution to middle eastern is based on typological comparison. No specific archaeological findspot is documented.
Condition: Archaeological condition. Extensive green and brown patination, mineral deposits and surface oxidation. Ancient losses and wear along the cutting edges. The long socket is longitudinally open and presents cracks and losses, particularly towards its terminal end. No restoration should be assumed unless specifically documented. Please refer carefully to the photographs.
References: comparable long-socketed and decorated bronze spearheads from Western Iran/Luristan are documented in museum collections and in the published corpus of Iranian bronze weaponry.
Seller's Story
We are a gallery specialising in ancient art and archaeology, founded on a deep passion for history and the civilisations of the past.
Our work focuses on the research and careful selection of material evidence from the great civilisations of antiquity, with a particular interest in the Classical world, Etruscan, Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures, and the Ancient Near East.
Our philosophy is rooted in the pursuit of objects that stand out not merely for their age, but also for their rarity, distinctive forms, historical significance and artistic merit. We favour unusual and carefully selected antiquities, often offering fascinating insights into lesser-known aspects of ancient civilisations.
Each object is thoughtfully selected and studied for its historical, stylistic and archaeological characteristics, with the aim of offering collectors authentic pieces of particular interest.
We believe that every antiquity holds a story, and that our role is to preserve, appreciate and pass on these remarkable testimonies of the past to a new generation of collectors.
Expertise, research, discerning selection and a passion for the ancient world are the principles that guide our work.
Every object has a story to tell.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Late Bronze / Early Iron Age
Century/timeframe
circa 1200–800 BC
Name of object
Decorated Bronze Socketed Spearhead
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2026
Country acquired from
France
Condition
Very good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
1970
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
