Home > Auctions > 3 - 8 September 2024
Ancient Art, Antiquities, Natural History & Coins
Auction Highlights:
.jpg "Egyptian Granite Head of a Dignitary")
.jpg "Roman Marble Portrait of a Boy as Worshipper of Isis")
.jpg "Larger Than Life-Size Roman Bronze Sandaled Foot")
Sold for (Inc. bp): £20,800
.jpg "Byzantine Porphyry Relief with Cross Surrounded by Two Birds")
.jpg "Carved Marble Memento Mori Skull")
.jpg "Byzantine Greek Fire Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade")
Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Piriform body with band of impressed roundels to the equator, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 541 grams, 11.7 cm
From a military inspired collection formed from the 1990s.
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'.
Cf. Arendt, W. I., Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefäße aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16.
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.
From a military inspired collection formed from the 1990s.
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'.
Cf. Arendt, W. I., Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefäße aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16.
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.
Two with a sturdy square-section tang, narrow barbed head with midrib; the others with triangular or foliate blades; each with a raised midrib and a short tang. 212 grams total, 10.1-16.2 cm
Ex London collection, formed 1990-2000.
See Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, pp.289ff, for similar arrowheads.
Although some of them are different in shape, these arrowheads are apparently related types of a polythetic group. Two basic deltoid forms are represented: one has a sharp, flat blade, the ends of which extend to form wings or barbs, and a prominent midrib extending into a long tang that often has a stop; the blade shape varies from deltoid to more manifestly triangular. The other form has no barbs, but it has a prominent midrib extending to the tang, and a narrow leaf-shaped blade.
Ex London collection, formed 1990-2000.
See Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, pp.289ff, for similar arrowheads.
Although some of them are different in shape, these arrowheads are apparently related types of a polythetic group. Two basic deltoid forms are represented: one has a sharp, flat blade, the ends of which extend to form wings or barbs, and a prominent midrib extending into a long tang that often has a stop; the blade shape varies from deltoid to more manifestly triangular. The other form has no barbs, but it has a prominent midrib extending to the tang, and a narrow leaf-shaped blade.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £13
Including a leaf-shaped tanged arrowhead, lozenge-shaped arrowhead and other types. 56 grams total, 6.3-11 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.
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.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Including musketballs, military buckles and frames, musket flints, buttons, a single-edged knife and other items in a hinged wooden case; many of these objects are published in the Detector Finds book series. 1.56 kg total, 32 x 25 x 7.5 cm including case
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
Displaying shallow striations running diagonally around the body; cylindrical socket. 133 grams, 41 mm
Private collection, Arundel, West Sussex, UK, 1975-late 1990s.
Cf. Milovanic, D., Metalwork in Serbia (in Serbian), Belgrade, 1986, fig.342, for similar specimen.
Private collection, Arundel, West Sussex, UK, 1975-late 1990s.
Cf. Milovanic, D., Metalwork in Serbia (in Serbian), Belgrade, 1986, fig.342, for similar specimen.
Comprising: a snaffle bit with single bar and an iron stirrup in a form of elongated D, with an oval-shaped loop at the top, wide openwork footrest slightly curved forward, with decoration at the sides. 467 grams total, 18.5-26 cm
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
Cf. Bailey, G., Detector finds 5, Witham, 2002, fig.7, p.31, for the 14th century snaffle bit; fig.5a-b-c, p.39, for the 15th-16th iron stirrup.
Snaffle bits have not altered very much in their design over the centuries. Medieval snaffle bits have survived in reasonable numbers, although they are still rare. A number of different designs are known for them. Some had a plain straight bar serving as the mouth piece, like our example. The 15th-16th century stirrup shows an interesting decoration at the sides of the footrest.
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
Cf. Bailey, G., Detector finds 5, Witham, 2002, fig.7, p.31, for the 14th century snaffle bit; fig.5a-b-c, p.39, for the 15th-16th iron stirrup.
Snaffle bits have not altered very much in their design over the centuries. Medieval snaffle bits have survived in reasonable numbers, although they are still rare. A number of different designs are known for them. Some had a plain straight bar serving as the mouth piece, like our example. The 15th-16th century stirrup shows an interesting decoration at the sides of the footrest.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
The socket D-shaped in plan with gently curved rear edge, narrow neck ad swept curve to the blade with forge-welded steel edge; lateral stamped mark. 700 grams, 210 mm
Ex private North American collection, California, USA, 1970s-1990s.
Ex private North American collection, California, USA, 1970s-1990s.
.jpg "Greek Style Bronze Helmet")
Featuring hammered helmet detailing together with mythical creatures and coiled snakes. 1.5 kg, 30.5 cm high
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
On original Pseudo-Corinthian or Apulo-Corinthian helmets see Bottini, A., ‘Apulo-Korintische Helme’, in Bottini, A., Egg, M., Von Hase, F. W., Pflug, H., Schaaf, U., Schauer, P., Waurick, G., Antike Helme, Sammlung Lipperheide und andere Bestände des Antikenmuseums Berlin, Mainz, 1988, pp.107-136.
The helmet is modelled upon the pseudo-Corinthian models of antiquity. The gryphon represented refers to the wars between these mythological creatures and the Arimaspes.
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
On original Pseudo-Corinthian or Apulo-Corinthian helmets see Bottini, A., ‘Apulo-Korintische Helme’, in Bottini, A., Egg, M., Von Hase, F. W., Pflug, H., Schaaf, U., Schauer, P., Waurick, G., Antike Helme, Sammlung Lipperheide und andere Bestände des Antikenmuseums Berlin, Mainz, 1988, pp.107-136.
The helmet is modelled upon the pseudo-Corinthian models of antiquity. The gryphon represented refers to the wars between these mythological creatures and the Arimaspes.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
With split socket and small lozenge-shaped head, lentoid in section; conical ferrule; wooden shaft replaced. 664 grams, 161.5 cm
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the upper body with a cross-shaped herringbone motif radiating from the filler hole, the space in between the arms with ring-and-annulet motifs; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 431 grams, 10.5 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'.
Cf. Arendt, W. I., Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefäße aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16.
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.
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'.
Cf. Arendt, W. I., Granaten des 13-14. Jahrhunderts, die an der Wolga gefunden sind, Zeitschrift fur Historische Waffen-und Kostumkunde, 11 (1926-8), p.42; cf. Arendt, W., Die Spharisch-konischen Gefäße aus Gebranntem Ton, ibid; cf. Ayalon, D., Gunpowder and Firearms in the Mamluk Kingdom, London, 1956, p.16.
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.
Of 'pegged leaf-shaped' type with tapering socket and gusseted midrib, rounded shoulders to the blade, narrow point, two opposed holes for the insertion of attachment rivets. 76 grams, 13.5 cm
Acquired in Germany in 2000.
Acquired by the present owner from the above.
Cf. Ehrenberg, M., Bronze Spearheads from Berks, Bucks and Oxon, BAR 34, Oxford, 1977, tables 21, 22, for type.
Acquired in Germany in 2000.
Acquired by the present owner from the above.
Cf. Ehrenberg, M., Bronze Spearheads from Berks, Bucks and Oxon, BAR 34, Oxford, 1977, tables 21, 22, for type.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Each with a slender, lozenge-shaped blade and a socket extending near the tip, base of the socket with a side lug. 130 grams total, 37-57 mm
UK private collection before 2000.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.
Cf. Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003, in Russian, for similar arrowheads from Eurasian sites (plate XLIV, nos.19,31,32,36,37,38,39,51,71).
In Greek warfare archery was mainly employed by Scythians and Cretans for the longer-ranks. Both used composite bows made of wood, horn, bone and sinew. This explains the great range of Scythian arrowheads found on the Greek sites.
UK private collection before 2000.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.
Cf. Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003, in Russian, for similar arrowheads from Eurasian sites (plate XLIV, nos.19,31,32,36,37,38,39,51,71).
In Greek warfare archery was mainly employed by Scythians and Cretans for the longer-ranks. Both used composite bows made of wood, horn, bone and sinew. This explains the great range of Scythian arrowheads found on the Greek sites.
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1129 - 1140 of 3369 LOTS
1129 - 1140 of 3369 LOTS
