Lot 121
East Asia, China, Eastern Zhou to Han Dynasty, ca. 5th to 2nd century BCE. A bronze spearhead of elegant leaf-shaped form, featuring a long, narrow blade with a pronounced central ridge extending nearly its full length. The socket is cylindrical, tapering seamlessly into the blade, and pierced with a lateral peg hole for hafting onto a wooden shaft. The surface bears a pale green patina with earthen encrustations, testament to long burial. Analysis reveals an alloy composition unusually rich in tin, combined with copper, lead, and trace iron. Such high-tin bronzes were characteristic of late Chinese bronzework, producing a silvery sheen and a hard but brittle metal. This formula, while unsuitable for repeated battlefield use, was favored for ritual display, ceremonial armament, and interment, especially at a time when iron weaponry was increasingly dominant. The form corresponds to the Chinese mao (spear), a weapon central to Warring States and early Han military practice. Size: 9.9" L x 1.5" W (25.1 cm x 3.8 cm)
With its slender proportions and deep medial flute, this example reflects the aesthetic refinement of Zhou-era bronze craftsmanship, bridging martial function and symbolic prestige. Comparable pieces have been excavated from tombs in Henan and Shaanxi provinces, where they often accompanied chariots, armor, and other martial accoutrements. This spearhead thus embodies the transitional era when bronze weaponry served less as a tool of war and more as a statement of rank, ritual, and identity in the afterlife.
Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired before 2000
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#196568
- Condition: Chipping along edges and at base with areas of loss as shown. Repair to base with modern paper lining interior for stability.
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|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |