MEDIEVAL SELJUK IRON SOCKETED SPEAR ON STAND

c. 1100 AD. Seljuk. This beautiful iron spearhead comprises a leaf-shaped blade with a slightly raised midrib, and a short geometric neck with incised decoration terminating in a spheroid guard which marks the beginning of socket. The socket itself bears decorative incised bands. This Item comes mounted on a stand. The Seljuks were a Turkic dynasty who swept out of Central Asia in the early 10th century and conquered an enormous expanse, covering most or all of present-day Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey and beyond. After inflicting crushing military defeats on a host of rivals, the most famous of which was perhaps that against the Byzantines at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, the Seljuk sultans became major patrons of art and architecture. This beautiful spear embodies the need for medieval Seljuks to be armed and ready in order to survive and thrive. Superb condition. Size: L:320mm; 279g. Provenance: From an old British collection of Asian Art formed in the 1990 on the UK and European art market.