Models of Bows and Arrows

  • 5th - 2nd century B.C.
  • Gold
Catalogue Entry

90a, b
Models of a Sword and a Sheath
5th‐2nd century B.C.
Gold
(a)H. 6.3 cm, W. 1.4 cm(b)H. 6.6 cm, W. 1.3 cm
91
Model of a Bow and an Arrow
5th‐2nd century B.C.
Gold
H. 24.6 cm, W. 13.5 cm
92a-c
Models of Spears
5th‐2nd century B.C.
Gold
(a) L. 24.5 cm (b) L. 8.7 cm c L. 2.9 cm
93
Model of a Bow
5th‐2nd century B.C.
Silver
L. 27.4 cm
94
Models of Swords
5th‐2nd century B.C.
Gold
H. 2.0-14.7 cm W. 0.2-2.3 cm
95
Models of Swords
5th‐2nd century B.C.
Gold
H. 1.2-5.8 cm, W. 0.3-1.0 cm
96
Models of Bows and Arrows
5th‐2nd century B.C.
Gold
H. 2.3-15.7 cm, W. 0.6-9.7 cm

Miniature Weapon Offerings
Actual weapons and those which would only have been used as offerings have been excavated from the Oxus temple at Takht-I Sangin. There are many miniatures of weapons among these excavated items. This type of gold work can also be found in the Oxus treasure. The Bactrian treasure includes more than 200 miniature models of weapons. The spears are pointed with leaf-like ends.
Cat. Nos. 91, 93, 96 shows models of bows and arrows which are both fully fitted with bow, arrow and string, and those which are not complete. The largest bow model in silver (cat. No. 93) is in the Scythian style and is fitted with a lion head decoration. Cat. No. 96 shows that all the bows have a sharp curve around the middle of their form, and both ends curve outward. The string is a straight gold wire that is attached to one end of the bow, while the other end of the string would have been wrapped around the ring at the other end of the bow. The arrow is flat at both ends, with one end pointed, or with one end fitted with a multiple leaf form. The other end is fitted with a small ring and attached to the string. These bows and arrows are made from gold sheets and depicted in linear incisions. Cat. No. 94 shows many sword models with no decoration cut from gold sheets. Cat. No. 95 shows the shaft and blade incised with linear designs. Cat. Nos. 94, 95 accords with the general sword type from the Achaemenid period. These are miniature models of actual weapons, and would have been made as offerings to the gods in the temples.
A number of actual weapons were excavated from the Oxus temple site. This includes 50 bronze arrowheads, 6,000 iron arrowheads, and a number of ivory sword sheaths and miniature weapons.
The Bactrian treasure also includes Greek-style offertory swords. Cat. No. 90 is a sword and the sheath that fits it exactly, and they are thought to have been made by the same workshop. The sword is broad and straight with a narrowed tip. The upper end of the sword has pointed corners. The sheet is made from folded gold sheet which was then decorated with gold wire around the edges and the center line. A loop with both ends decorated with gold wire is placed about 1/4 of the way down the body of the sheath.

Models of a Sword and a Sheath Model of a Bow and an Arrow Models of Spears Model of a Bow Models of Swords Models of Swords