Bronze arrowhead
Unknown Artist
ca. 1450–1050 BCE
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
length 5 3/8 in. (13.6 cm)
Classification
Bronzes
Culture & Period
Cypriot · Late Bronze Age
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
Accession Number
74.51.5300
Art Historical Context
This sleek bronze arrowhead, hailing from ancient Cyprus during the Late Bronze Age (. 1450–1050 BCE), offers a glimpse into a vibrant island culture renowned for its mastery of metalworking. Measuring 5 3/8 inches (13.6 cm) in length, its robust, socketed design allowed it to be securely hafted onto a shaft, making it a formidable projectile in warfare or hunting. Cyprus, rich in copper deposits, was a key hub for bronze production and international trade, exporting weapons and goods across the eastern Mediterranean. Crafted through lost-wax casting or similar techniques, this arrowhead exem...