Archaic Spear Butt

Culture: Greek

Period: around 500 B.C.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 21.9 cm long

Price: Sold

Ref: 2682

Provenance: From the Israeli private collection of Jacob Marcus, Jaffa. Most recently on the Israeli art market.

Condition: A small crack at the opening, otherwise intact and very well preserved.

Description: Finely crafted bronze spear butt from the Greek Archaic period. The long, tapering shaft is hollow and features two opposing holes for attachment to the wooden shaft. The solidly made pointed terminal, the so-called butt-spike, is set on a concave neck with decorative ridges. Spear butts formed the lower end of the spear that touched the ground. In combat, they were also used against fallen and already wounded enemies.