Beschreibung:

BRONZE AGE BRITISH BASAL-LOOPED AND SOCKETTED SPEARHEAD 1800-1500 BC A large leaf-shaped blade with lozenge-section midrib and lateral ridges extending to basal loops with lozengiform plaques; broken in two in antiquity. 333 grams, 30cm overall (11 3/4"). Good condition; deliberately broken in antiquity, with the socket partly crushed. [No Reserve] Provenance Ex Sir Richard Ground (1949-2014) Collection, Derbyshire, UK; acquired privately, 2007; found Derbyshire, UK, 2006. Published Portable Antiquity Scheme, reference number DENO-DC8D26; disclaimed under Treasure Act, reference 2007 T17. Literature See Davis, R. Basal-Looped Spearheads, BAR International Series no.1497, Oxford, 2006 Footnotes Sir Richard Ground notes that it 'conforms to Richard Davis's Type 2 - Leaf. Pieces of the wooden shaft were recovered from both the upper and lower socket and preserved separately.' Each piece from the collection is accompanied by Sir Richard's personal illustrated catalogue sheets which describe the piece fully, give details and circumstances of his acquisition, academic references and general notes. The eminent lawyer Sir Richard Ground, OBE (1949 - 2014), a graduate of Lincoln College Oxford, was called to the bar at Gray's Inn in 1975. After a period spent specialising in media law, he was, in 1983, appointed Crown Counsel in the Cayman Islands, a position which he held until 1987 when he assumed the role of Attorney General. He served as Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands from 1998 to 2004, and then as Chief Justice of Bermuda until his retirement in 2012. Highly regarded in legal circles for his decisiveness and impeccable integrity, he was awarded the OBE in 1991 in recognition of his services to the Cayman Islands, and was made a Knight Bachelor in 2012 for services to justice in Bermuda. He had a passion for the natural world and worked alongside his wife, fellow lawyer Lady Ground, to found the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, as well as publishing several volumes of wildlife photography. Sir Richard was a keen and knowledgable collector of both coins and ancient weaponry. His collection of Roman, Byzantine, English, and European coins fetched exceptional prices when sold by Spink in September 2014. It is with pride that we are able to offer his collection of Bronze Age weaponry for auction. Date Thursday 12th February 2015 - Saturday 14th February 2015, Antiquities & Coin Catalogue Auction TimeLine Auctions Ltd arranges printed catalogue rostrum Auctions, eAuctions and Timed Auctions where we offer antiquities, ancient artefacts / artifacts, antiques, collectibles, coins, medals and books for public sale.