Carved in the half-round in three-quarter view, youthful male head with stern features, hair gathered in a browband, horns to the brow; from a frieze or relief; mounted on a custom-made stand.

Carved in the round with thick wreath of laurel leaves to the brow, short tousled hair, stern face with thick jaw; mounted on a custom-made stand.

Standing contrapposto with his weight on his right leg and the left leg brought slightly forward; the musculature of the torso displaying well-defined pectoral muscles, prominent abdominal muscles and wide shoulders, the back with equally toned musculature and well-formed rounded buttocks; the veining of the marble accentuating the idealised anatomy; the now-absent head was most probably turned towards the supporting leg and the left arm would have been raised; mounted on a custom-made display stand.

A high-status green chalcedony seal with frieze depicting a seated figure in horned headdress facing a standing figure with arms outstretched, small monkey to the legs; six columns of Akkadian cuneiform text transliterated as: 1. ki-di-nu UGULA KUŠ-MEŠ 2. GAL šà tan-dru-hu- 3. ra-te-er EŠŠANA šu-ši 4. u an-za-an ARAD 5. šà dha-te-ri-iš 6. šak(?) ì-lí-šu 'Kidinu, chief overseer of the equerries(?) of Tan-Ruhurater, King of Susa and Anzan, servant of Haterishshak, his god'. The seal's owner was an official of King Tan-Ruhurater II (circa 1450 B.C.), king of Susa and Anzan. The title used to describe Kidinu is sometimes translated 'high official', elsewhere 'horse groom' or 'animal trainer'; the Elamite deity Haterish is otherwise unknown.

A substantial torch bearer depicting a male lion or panther standing with legs firmly planted on a rectangular base, tail extending to the ground, with a massive circular shaped armature or candelabra issuing from its back and wearing an elaborate muzzle, the eyes retaining shell inlay with a circular hollow for the pupils; to the right of the beast a kneeling nude male wearing a large belt-armour and a diadem, eyes inlaid, left hand extended to the side and holding the lion's leash.

Including triangular-section and leaf-shaped socketted types. 16.1 grams total, 18-34 mm



Ex G. White collection, 1980s-1990s.

Piriform body with radiating vertical lugs to the shoulder and decorated panels between, tiered neck, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 977 grams, 20 cm



From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards.

Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

Piriform body with horizontal bands to the shoulder, flanged collar, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 458 grams, 18 cm



From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards.

Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

Biconvex body with impressed billeted bands and domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 460 grams, 13.9 cm



From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.

The shape corresponds with a fire grenade in the Kars Museum, no.14.09.2009. Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

Piriform body with zigzag band to the equator and impressed roundels to the shoulder, tiered neck, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 650 grams, 13.3 cm



From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.

Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

Solid shot suitable for a saker or demi-culverine. 4.05 kg, 10 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Formed with a squared butt and flared cutting edge; flat in cross-section. 168 grams, 17 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

With broad curved blade and pointed chin, broad neck, deep socket with lateral flanges. 698 grams, 15.5 cm



From the collection of a Californian, USA, gentleman, dating back to the late 1960s.

During the mid 13th century, the axes were favourite weapons among Baltic people. For instance the Curonian army included lightly armed soldiers who fought with spears, shields, fighting knives and axes. A heavily armed soldier could also carry a sword, a helmet, a shield and a wide-bladed axe.

Comprising forty-five arrowheads of various types, including triangular, lanceolate and leaf-shaped; mainly tanged. 550 grams total, 2.9-16.1 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

Comprising: two hand-forged iron stirrups each with a reinforcing strap beneath the footplate, slotted suspension plate; snaffle-bit with hooked outer ends each with a twisted-rod ring and a curved transverse bar with dentilled lower edge. 821 grams total, 19.5-20 cm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

With pyramidal point, square-section shaft, tubular socket and a pelletted triangle maker's mark. 36.3 grams, 66 mm



Tucker collection, Buckinghamshire, UK; formed in the 1980s. Property of a Kent lady collector.

Including barbed, leaf-shaped and other types, all tanged. 154 grams total, 4.3-10.8 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.