South Italian Metalwork: Bronze Spear Point

Inv. No.: 95.095a
Provenance: South Italy (Metaponto)
Date: 8th-6th century BC
Length: 220mm
 
These four bronze spear heads (with 95.095b,c,d) vary in size, but have the same basic design with tubular sockets and leaf-shaped blades with a central rib. The leaf shape is a characteristic of Greek spear heads. The largest example (95.95a) is most corroded. The rib is outlined by a fine moulded ridge and the end of the socket is reinforced by a thickened ring of metal. The others (95.95b-95.95d) have holes pierced through the sides of the socket to enable attachment to a wooden spear. They all have a fine green patina with some blue as well, especially 95.95c.

Function:
Bronze spear heads, used for battle or burial purposes.

Manufacture:
Made using the lost-wax method of bronze casting.

Bibliography:
Connolly, P., Greece and Rome at War, London, Macdonald, 1981, 63, 92-93.

Hanson, V. D. (ed.), Hoplites: The Classical Greek Battle Experience, London and New York, Routledge, 1991.

Richter, G. M. A., The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Handbook of the Greek Collection, Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 1953, 68.

Snodgrass, A. M., Arms and Armour of the Greeks, London, Thames and Hudson, 1967.

Warry, J., Warfare in the Classical World, New York, St Martin Press, 1980.

Comparanda:
Connolly, P., Greece and Rome at War, London, Macdonald, 1981, p. 63, Nos. 8-9, .p. 92, No. 10 (bronze spearhead from Veii), p. 103, No. 17. , Naples, Arte Tipografica, 1974, Tavola VIII (weapons and armour from the tomb of a warrior).

Metaponto: Atti del Tredicesimo Convegno di Studi sulla Magna Grecia

Richter, G. M. A., The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Handbook of the Greek Collection, Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 1953, Plate 49, h (more elaborate late Archaic bronze spear butt).