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Ancient Tools and Weapons

Images of historical artifacts like nails, daggers, and harpoon heads, showcasing ancient craftsmanship across different cultures.

Albert Geuppert, Cloth Shuttle, 1939 Cloth Shuttle
Albert Geuppert, Cloth Shuttle, 1939 Cloth Shuttle
228 assets in this story
Nail. Nail 244243bronze dagger, 1st millennium BC, middle east, Álava Armory Museum, Vitoria, Basque Country, Spain.Spoon ca. 1186-1070 B.C. New Kingdom, Ramesside. Spoon 568374Harpoon head Japan The Jmon period is the earliest period in Japanese history, lasting from roughly 14,000 to 300 BCE. The Jmon people were primarily hunter-gatherers, hunting land animals and gathering vegetables and nuts on the land as well as hunting and fishing at sea. Harpoon heads such as this one testify to the importance of seafood in the diets of some Jmon communities, especially those close to the sea. Fish bones found at Jmon archaeological sites indicate that the Jmon hunted fish not only close to the shore but also farther out in the open sea, where larger fish could be caught. There is even evidence that the Jmon ate pufferfish, a poisonous fish considered a delicacy in modern Japan.. Harpoon head. Japan. Bone. Final Jmon period (ca. 1000-300 B.C.). BoneSpear (Fang-Kao) 18th-19th century Philippine, Igorot. Spear (Fang-Kao) 30661Staff. Dimensions: l. 138.5 cm (54 1/2 in.). Dynasty: Dynasty 12. Reign: reign of Amenemhat I, early. Date: ca. 1981-1975 B.C.. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.Mosaic one hundred; 4,000 BC ; culture Uruk (-4000-00-00--3001-00-00);Culture Uruk (approLadle with Cockerel 500 B.C.-A.D. 300 Thailand. Ladle with Cockerel. Thailand. 500 B.C.-A.D. 300. Bronze. Bronze and Iron Age period. MetalworkAlbert Geuppert, Cloth Shuttle, 1939 Cloth ShuttleHarpoon head Japan The Jōmon period is the earliest period in Japanese history, lasting from roughly 14,000 to 300 BCE. The Jōmon people were primarily hunter-gatherers, hunting land animals and gathering vegetables and nuts on the land as well as hunting and fishing at sea. Harpoon heads such as this one testify to the importance of seafood in the diets of some Jōmon communities, especially those close to the sea. Fish bones found at Jōmon archaeological sites indicate that the Jōmon hunted fish not only close to the shore but also farther out in the open sea, where larger fish could be caught. There is even evidence that the Jōmon ate pufferfish, a poisonous fish considered a delicacy in modern Japan.. Harpoon head 62272Mummified Fish 664-30 B.C. Late Period-Ptolemaic Period. Mummified Fish. 664-30 B.C.. Animal remains, linen, papyrus. Late Period-Ptolemaic Period. From EgyptLadle, late 4th or early 3rd century BCE, 10 3/8 in. (26.35 cm), Silver, Greece, 3rd-4th century BCE, This elegant ladle and sieve in the form of a grape leaf were used to strain particulates (skins, seeds, and stems) from and to serve wine. They were found together in Arcarnania, in southwestern Greece. The Greeks mixed their wine with water, and regarded the consumption of undiluted wine as uncivilized.Curette Roman. Curette 250634 Roman, Curette , Bronze, Other: 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Rogers Fund, 1917 (17.230.107)Fish hook Japan The Jmon period is the earliest period in Japanese history, lasting from roughly 14,000 to 300 BCE. The Jmon people were primarily hunter-gatherers, hunting land animals and gathering vegetables and nuts on the land as well as hunting and fishing at sea. Using implements such as this fishhook, Jmon communities, especially those close to the sea, were able to consume a variety of fish. Fish bones found at Jmon archaeological sites indicate that the Jmon hunted fish not only close to the shore but also farther out in the open sea, where larger fish such as tuna could be caught. There is even evidence that the Jmon ate pufferfish, a poisonous fish considered a delicacy in modern Japan.. Fish hook. Japan. Bone. Final Jmon period (ca. 1000-300 B.C.). BoneHare 5th-6tth century () Byzantine. Hare. Byzantine. 5th-6tth century (). Ivory. Made in Egypt. IvoriesFragment of iron from the wreck of the East Indians Hollandia, Anonymous, 1700 - in Or Before 1743 fragment Varied parts or fragments, strip and strip-shaped fragments; fragm, eroded, bent; straight, one end bevelled. Netherlands iron (metal) SecondModel adze ca. 1981-1802 B.C. Middle Kingdom. Model adze. ca. 1981-1802 B.C.. Copper, wood, animal hide. Middle Kingdom. From Egypt, Middle Egypt, Asyut (Lykopolis), Tomb of Ankhef (Tomb 9), Khashaba excavations. Dynasty 12Sword (Kris), 1800s. Java. Iron with carved wooden handle; overall: 46.1 cm (18 1/8 in.); blade: 36.5 cm (14 3/8 in.).Amulet, crocodile ca. 3850-2960 B.C. Predynastic Period. Amulet, crocodile. ca. 3850-2960 B.C.. Faience. Predynastic Period. From EgyptBronze arrowhead ca. 1450-1050 B.C. Cypriot The type is rare in the Aegean but common in the Near East, from whence they reached Cyprus.. Bronze arrowhead 244179Knife Handle (Kozuka) 18th century Japanese A kozuka is a handle of a by-knife that is part of a sword mounting. It is kept in a slot on the reverse of a katana scabbard, often with a matching kōgai (hairdressing tool).. Knife Handle (Kozuka) 29744Rattle in the form of a poppy pod 6th century B.C. Greek. Rattle in the form of a poppy pod. Greek. 6th century B.C.. Gold. Archaic. Gold and SilverStaff, 1900-1950, 39 7/8 × 13 5/16 × 2 7/8 in. (101.28 × 33.81 × 7.3 cm), Wood, beads, Ethiopia, 20th centuryFibula. Copper alloy. Gallo-Roman. Paris, Carnavalet museum. 51531-10 Staple, copper alloy, attachment, Gallo-Roman time, fibula, Gallo-RomanTraditional bushman condom (Namibia), good for concepts.Lifting wrench.lipper consisting of a long four-sided stem that bends at the end in a rectangle and ends in a four-eddy beard, similar to a bird claw. At the bottom of the handle is a hinge. The handle is overlooked at the top to an eye.Chopping knife. A chopping knife.Arm of life-size statue ca. 1961-1917 B.C. Middle Kingdom This powerfully modeled arm from a life-size statue was found in the tomb of a high official. Because of its size, the arm probably did not belong to a statue depicting the tomb owner, but rather to a royal sculpture. It is likely a displaced piece from a statue of Senwosret I that originally stood in his pyramid complex nearby.. Arm of life-size statue. ca. 1961-1917 B.C.. Granite. Middle Kingdom. From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht South, tomb of Senwosretankh, pit 8, MMA excavations, 1932-33. Dynasty 12Arrowheads, needles, hooks and harpoons. Culture: Japan. Dimensions: W. 3/8 in. (1 cm); L. 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm). Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.Cyfrowe Dziedzictwo KulturoweBelt Buckle. Culture: Frankish or Burgundian. Dimensions: Overall: 8 3/16 x 3 7/8 x 1 9/16 in. (20.8 x 9.8 x 3.9 cm). Date: 6th-7th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.Arrowheads, needles, hooks and harpoons. Culture: Japan. Dimensions: W. 1/4 in. (.6 cm); L. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm). Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.Female Figure (tunjo) 10th-16th century Muisca Muisca votive objects, called tunjos, were made in a variety of forms: animate, that is, human figures and animals, and inanimate-weapons, lime containers, and snuff tablets. Human images, always differentiated by sex, are the most common type of tunjo. Most are simple, flat plaques with a great deal of specific detail added onto the surface, as thin gold threads. The figures depict actual Muisca people and activities, for instance, mothers holding children, as on this example. Male figures carry weapons or chew coca. Quality of workmanship and realistic proportions were of less concern to tunjo makers than subject matter.This tunjo depicts a female figure holding a smaller one, possibly a child, in one hand and a baton on the other. A long, multistrand necklace is on her chest and a prominent disk-shaped pectoral under her chin. Her small feet, worked as a series of fine gold threads, appear in the upper half of the tall plaque.Tunjos werKnife with wooden handle and rounded end plate rail, knife cutlery soil find iron wood metal, Blade with forged lifting guard narrowed angel that runs to end of handle. Raises oval with four longitudinal grooves archeology Rotterdam rail tunnel cutting food Soil discovery: rail tunnel Rotterdam.RidingCropToggle -Bronze knife ca. 2nd millennium B.C. Minoan Knife, votive.. Bronze knife 252431 Minoan, Bronze knife, ca. 2nd millennium B.C., Bronze, Length 4 3/4 in. (12 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Bequest of Richard B. Seager, 1926 (26.31.511)Basement from the church of St. Odiliënberg. See also accompanying capital BK-NM-8435-1.Excerpt of copper from the wreck of the East Indians Hollandia, 1700 - in or before 1743 fragment Varied parts or fragments, strips and strip-shaped fragments; fragm. Netherlands copper (metal) SecondBead and Reel Rod. Unknown 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Ballock Dagger 1450-1500 Northern Europe. Steel, horn, and iron .European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Common beech close up of twig with buds against white backgroundDagger. Iran, Luristan, circa 2600-2350 B.C.. Arms and Armor; daggers. Bronze, cast Blade and Mounting for a Sword (Katana) Blade inscribed by Yokoyama Kzukedaij Sukesada Japanese Fittings inscribed by Otsuryken Masanobu Japanese blade, 17th century; mounting, early 19th century This is the long sword (katana) of a pair of swords (daish) which is mounted with a matching set of fittings depicting insects and plants that are traditionally associated with fall in Japan. The fittings were made by Otsuryken Masanobu (, born 1773), who was the fourth generation of the Hamano () School. Some are inscribed with statements such as “made at the age of sixty-two” or “made at the age of sixty-three,” an inidication of the lengthy time it took him to produce the full set. The lower parts of the scabbard are lacquered in broad brush strokes, a technique referred to as seikaiha-nuri (literally “blue waves lacquer”). View more. Blade and Mounting for a Sword (Katana). Japanese. blade, 17th century; mounting, early 19th century. Steel, wood, lacquer, Figurine. UnknownTalon ax (common name). Bronze. Carnavalet museum, history of Paris. Heel ax. The cutting edge is partly torn off.Case for a pipe.Long-stemmed Gouda pipes were very popular with the Dutch, including those living in the tropics. Since the clay pipes were fragile, protective cases for them were not anundue luxury. This ivory case from Ceylon is ornamented with flowering branches, a decoration that found great favour among Europeans. On the short end of the lid is a pipe-smoking Dutchman.Cosmetic Flask 13th century Vessels formed on a sand core and decorated with marvered and combed trails of contrasting colors were one of the earliest types known from Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean world. The marvered vessels produced in the Islamic areas, such as this flask, were blown on the pipe.. Cosmetic Flask. 13th century. Glass, amber; blown with applied marvered opaque white decoration. Attributed to Egypt or Syria. GlassBALLESTA-NAZARI S XIV-XV-PROC MECINA BOMBARON. Location: MUSEO ARQUEOLOGICO-ARTE HISPANOMUSULMAN. GRANADA. SPAIN.Fragment Tobacco Pipe, Jan van Wouw, 1760 - 1790 Fragment tobacco pipe with a crown and the letters I v w and n. Of the excavations on the Hofstede Arentsburg 1827-1831 under the supervision of Professor Reuvens. Gorinchem pipe clay Fragment tobacco pipe with a crown and the letters I v w and n. Of the excavations on the Hofstede Arentsburg 1827-1831 under the supervision of Professor Reuvens. Gorinchem pipe clayDecorative batter from the wreck of the East India Hollandia. Fitting, decorative fitting or fragment; Fragm, Central Excutcheon and Left Scroll, ID. NG 1980-27H1133, Squashed, eroded.Flint labret. Mali, Neolithic. 5cm.Glass pendant bead in the shape of a plumbline. Culture: Greek or Etruscan. Dimensions: 2 7/8 × 13/16 in. (7.4 × 2.1 cm). Date: ca. 7th-5th century B.C..Uncertain color, appearing opaque black; trail in opaque white.Elongated conical body, expanding downwards; rounded bottom edge; pierced through from top to bottom with a large, regular hole.A single marvered trail wound 20 times round body in a spiral.Intact, but slight chip in narrow (top) end; dulling, severe pitting of surface bubbles, and faint brownish weathering.The date and provenance of this large bead are uncertain, but it may be Etruscan, dating to the 7th century B.C. and used as decoration on a fibula. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.SpoonBone Awl with Beaded Case, late 1800s. America, Native North American, Gaigwu (Kiowa), late 19th century. Bone; case: 23.5 cm (9 1/4 in.); overall: 11.4 cm (4 1/2 in.).Knife. Culture: Moche. Dimensions: H x W: 6 3/8 x 2 3/4in. (16.2 x 7cm). Date: 1st-5th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.Arrowhead 2nd-1st millennium B.C. Iran. Arrowhead 325237Stern Piece. Dated: c. 1939. Dimensions: overall: 49.9 x 37 cm (19 5/8 x 14 9/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 47 1/2" long. Medium: watercolor and graphite on paperboard. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: Harriette Gale.Arrow or Javelin Point of Neferkhawet ca. 1504-1447 B.C. New Kingdom. Arrow or Javelin Point of Neferkhawet. ca. 1504-1447 B.C.. Bronze or copper alloy. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Asasif, Tomb of Neferkhawet (MMA 729), west chamber A, Burial of Neferkhawt (I), MMA excavations, 1934-35. Dynasty 18, earlyNeedle case with six needles, ChinaZither (Qin), 5th century BCE, 2 3/4 x 3 5/16 x 34 1/4 in. (6.99 x 8.41 x 87 cm), Lacquer over wood core, China, 5th century BCE, Remarkable for its state of preservation and vivid colors, this rare five-stringed instrument called qin is constructed from a single piece of wood with a rectangular hole cut in the underside serving as a sound box. The important discovery of the tomb of Marquis I of Cheng (433 BCE), which yielded the massive set of sixty-five bronze bells also included two types of lacquer zithers: one version with ten strings resembled the rectangular type held by the tomb figurine shown here. The second, narrower type, is very close in form, fine decoration, and number of strings to this example.Shaffron (Horse's Head Defense) 17th century Turkish This shaffron is unusually complete and is one of the few examples to retain its original cheek plates. It is engraved with tulip designs and inscribed across the forehead: "Made at the order of Emir Yusuf.". Shaffron (Horse's Head Defense). Turkish. 17th century. Gold, copper alloy (tombak), leather, textile. Equestrian Equipment-ShaffronsSeal Impression Attatched to a Fiber Tie from Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache ca. 1336-1327 B.C. New Kingdom This mud sealing is attached to the papyrus fiber tie that probably secured the lid on a box or jar. The impression is similar to that on 09.184.262. The sealings were found in a large jar in the embalming cache of Tuthankhamun in the Valley of the Kings.. Seal Impression Attatched to a Fiber Tie from Tutankhamun's Embalming Cache. ca. 1336-1327 B.C.. Mud. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Valley of the Kings, Embalming Cache of Tutankhamun (KV 54), Davis/Ayrton excavations, 1907-08. Dynasty 18Appliqué for a funeral couch. UnknownStoryknife (Ateknguin), Eskimo Art, USA, Washington DC, Smithsonian Institution (National Museum of Natural History)Chopping Knife. Dated: c. 1942. Dimensions: overall: 35.7 x 28 cm (14 1/16 x 11 in.) Original IAD Object: Blade and Butt: 15" long; blade: 10" wode; butt: 1 1/4" in diameter; handle: 7" long. Medium: watercolor and graphite on paperboard. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: William Frank.ClovesRoman iron-working tongs. Artist: UnknownShabti. Egypt, Middle Kingdom - Ptolemaic Period (2061 - 31 BCE). Sculpture. WoodPiece leather, presumably in the form of a forshoe, anonymous, c. 1590 - c. 1596 Piece leather, Russian Presumably the piece of leather has the shape of a forshoe not yet made, a trip lump. leather. calf (leather) Nova Zembla. Saving HuysAwl -Pendón Lepanto. Museo Sta. Cruz. Depósito: S.I. Catedral primada de Toledo.Ceremonial scoop, 13th-5th century BCE, H.4-1/2 x W.4-1/4 x L.12 in., Bronze, Persia (Iran), 13th-5th century BCEPitch Fork. Dated: c. 1937. Dimensions: overall: 23.1 x 45.2 cm (9 1/8 x 17 13/16 in.). Medium: watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil on paper. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: Earl Butlin.Bull's horns ca. 2300-2000 B.C. Hattian. Bull's horns. Hattian. ca. 2300-2000 B.C.. Arsenical copper. Early Bronze Age III. Central AnatoliaPriming Flask. Culture: Indian. Dimensions: L. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm); Wt. 4 oz. (107 g). Date: second half 17th century.Zoomorphic priming flasks of carved ivory, such as these, were among the first Mughal decorative arts to reach Europe, with numerous examples listed in princely collections of art and natural history dating from 1650. These small containers held fine-grain gunpowder used to set off (or prime) the main charge in the barrel. The flasks are typically carved with fantastic animals that merge into one another. The observed naturalism is characteristic of Mughal art. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.Carpenter's Adze from a Foundation Deposit for Hatshepsut's Temple ca. 1479-1458 B.C. New Kingdom The handle of this adze is inscribed "The Good God, Maatkare, beloved of Amun, foremost of Djeser-Djeseru." Maatkare was the throne name of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut, and Djeser-Djeseru (Holy of Holies) was the name of her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. The adze was uncovered in one of the temple's foundation deposits by the Museum's Egyptian Expedition. Although the adze is full-size and appears to be functional, the blade is too thin to be used for cutting and, like most of the tools discovered in foundation deposits, this is a model. A replica of one of Hatshepsut's foundation deposits, 25.3.39, may be seen in gallery 115 and other objects from her deposits are on view in gallery 116 (see 22.3.241, 22.3.245, 25.3.40, 25.3.46a, b, 27.3.198). These are typical of the contents in foundation deposits from the time of Hatshepsut and her nephew, Thutmose III.. Carpenter's Adze from a FCloak or cloche, twisted strip with hooks bent in at the ends, closure clothing accessory clothes ground find copper metal, archeology Rotterdam City triangle Meent Market Binnenrotte clothe close Soil discovery pit corner Meent Markt (Binnenrotte).Przeszo Przyszoci unknownBlacksmith's Mask - Bobo Culture, Upper Volta African Art Collection of The Museum of Contemporary Art, Jacksonville, FloridaNatural dried treats for dogs. Dried esophagus for dogsFragment of the index belt; 18th century (1701-00-00-1800-00-00);Hat -slip, fragment, from binchekant, anonymous, c. 1700 - c. 1750 Cutslip from Binchekant. The pattern has a slender with leaf motifs on a spinning ground. Belgium linen (material). Binche Lace Cutslip from Binchekant. The pattern has a slender with leaf motifs on a spinning ground. Belgium linen (material). Binche LaceCarved elephant tusk with intricate detail. From the Congo, The Republic of the Congo, Central Africa. Dated 19th CenturyPin 4th century B.C. European. Pin 90140Salsify (tragopogon porrifolius), Fresh Root against White BackgroundClothing accessory, adornment, fibula for pisciform (fish -shaped), copper alloy and enamel. Gallo-Roman time, end of the High Empire (1st century-25e) and beginning of the Lower Empire (250-early century). Paris, Carnavalet museum. Fibs fishform Fashion accessory, copper alloy, antiquity, golden color, email, Gallo-Roman time, fibula for pisciform, shape, set, fish, ancient, ancientFigurine. UnknownBottle 301 CE-500 CE Syria. Glass, blown technique . Ancient RomanKnitting needle holder, two caps of twisted ivory on elastic brown and green silk band, knitting needles knitting needles holder knitting holder holder handicrafts silk ivory rubber lb 25.0, knitPlatter (Siye Kon) 19th-early 20th century Ambrym Island. Platter (Siye Kon) 313704Guisarme ca. 1500 Italian. Guisarme 26201Netsuke of Mouse on an Umbrella. Culture: Japan. Dimensions: H. 7/8 in. (2.2 cm); W. 3 in. (7.6 cm); D. 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm). Date: 19th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.Ancient Knife with Modern Inscription. Egypt, probably New Kingdom (1569 - 1081 BCE) or later. Arms and Armor; knives. BronzeStanding Ceramic Figure 6th-11th century Manteño. Standing Ceramic Figure 314171Mirror. Bronze, Northern Iran. End of the 2nd-beginning of the 1st millennium before J.-C. Paris, Cernuschi museum. BEGINNING ISET MILEIUM BC, BRONZE, DEBRUTE WITH MILEARY JC, END IRENIEGHIC MY NORMAY YES, NORMER, NORMER IRRY, NORNER IRANOil lamp used during the Great Revolt period on Masada. Masada is an ancient fortification in the Southern District of Israel situated on top of an isolated rock plateau on the eastern edge of the Judean Desert, overlooking the Dead Sea Dated 73 BCAttachment. UnknownModel or a jury rudder. Model of a slurry made of stiff between shelves bound bunches. The bunches that protrude above the blade are boven in a leather stocking. The back of the stirring leaf is reinforced with a long bar, the front with three shorter ones. The stirels have been replaced by chains in three places, from which lines on either side probably walk to the deck. Sending probably happened to the heel by means of the hoist. The magazine is also equipped with care overs.Handle from a cosmetic spoon ca. 1070-664 B.C. Third Intermediate Period-Kushite Period. Handle from a cosmetic spoon 550687