European Bronze Age Leaf-Shaped Spearhead

£ 325.00

A European Bronze Age cast bronze spear-point of leaf shape, with a prominent rounded midrib converging to the top and flowing into hollow conical shaft. The socket has been pierced by two lateral peg-holes. Spearheads of this type are more commonly found in the territories of Northern Europe and Britain and were used through Late Bronze Age.

Date: Circa 3200-600 BC
Provenance: German private collection.
Condition: Very fine. Appealing green patination. Tip and socket intact.

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Product Code: CES-12
Category: Tags: ,

Although most Bronze Age spearheads were intended for practical use as weapons in war and hunting, archaeologists believe that some were designed as religious offerings. Spearheads of all kinds were attached onto long handles (normally of ash or pinewood), with those functioning as votive offerings usually ritually thrown into water. Indeed, several Bronze Age spearheads have been recovered from the River Thames. Size gives the best indication as to a spearhead’s intended purpose: smaller spearheads usually were projectile weapons, whereas larger ones were thrusting weapons. The largest of spearheads were probably ceremonial, on account of their impractical size, with decoration and barbs serving as further indications of their ritual purpose.

To learn more about art and culture in the Bronze Age, visit our relevant blog post: The Bronze Age.

Dimensions L 10.8 cm
Metal

Bronze

Region

Western Europe

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