Published 5th C. Celtic La Tene Iron Spear Tips (pr)

Ancient Central / Northern Europe, Celtic Iron Age, La Tene culture, ca. 5th to 1st century BCE. A stunning set of two forged-iron spear heads from the La Tene culture of ancient Europe. Each spear point is defined by an elongated petaloid blade with sharpened edges, a pointed tip, and a narrow midrib which traces down the length and becomes integral with the conical socketing shaft. The shorter spear still retains some of the original attachment pins in the socketing shaft, and the larger spear boasts a pair of pierced grooves near the bottom of its shaft. Lustrous dark-grey and russet-hued patina enshrouds each weapon, and areas of age-commensurate oxidation are visible in scattered areas. Size of largest (pierced grooves): 18.625" L x 1.75" W (47.3 cm x 4.4 cm); 7.2" H (18.3 cm) on included custom stand.

The Celtic world spanned most of Europe, from Spain to Britain, and as a result there was a great deal of variation in their material culture. Weapons like this one have a great deal of individual variation, perhaps reflecting the preferences of the person commissioning them. This is in strong contrast to the more mass-produced, standardized Roman swords. Though the La Tene culture clashed continuously with the expanding Roman Republic, we know that the Romans admired the Celtic iron weaponry, especially that of the Celto-Iberians. In fact, the name of the culture comes from La Tene, Switzerland, where archaeologists uncovered a large cache of weapons in Lake Neuchatel ("La Tene" translates to "The Shallows") La Tene warfare utilized chariots, ring armor, strong iron swords, and deadly yet beautiful spears like these examples.

For a stylistically-similar example, please see: Flinders Petrie, W. M. "Tools and Weapons." Books on Demand Ltd., 2013, Spears, figs. 2, 40.

Provenance: Exhibited / published in catalogue for "Dressed to Kill in Love and War: Splendor in the Ancient World" (February 1 - March 31, 2019 - Academy Museum, Easton, Maryland, USA, p. 11, fig. 39, listed as Greek bronze); ex-private Texas, USA collection, acquired in the 1980s

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#146047
Condition Report: Smaller spear has stabilization to midsection of socketing shaft. Both items have bending to overall forms, oxidation in several areas commensurate with age, small nicks to socketing shafts and blade edges, and chipping to some surfaces, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits as well as great patina throughout.