Ovoid in profile with a rounded base, a band of annulets and vertical lines on the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 691 grams, 14.6 cm



From a specialist collection, London, UK, 1990-2000s. 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.

Leaf-shaped arrowhead with midrib, conical socket and lateral spur; mounted in a glazed wooden display case with hand-lettered explanatory text concerning the battle of Thermopylae where the item was found. 440 grams total, 22.7 x 17.6 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. From the private collection of an East Anglian, UK, Specialist Collector.

With a prominently curved guard extending out from the ricasso, partly framing the hilt, thick midrib extending slightly above the ricasso. 286 grams, 35.5 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

The hilt of such swords was made separately and, unfortunately, is nearly always missing from the archaeological records. Similar daggers had a northern Iranian background, and excavated examples have been recorded from the South Caspian area from Tomadjan and Ghalekuti. Their chronology ranges from the late 2nd millennium B.C. to the 7th century B.C.

Comprising a long parallel-sided flat blade with slight midrib broadening to a rounded tip, flared shoulders and long conical socket. 544 grams, 79.5 cm



Property of a Berkshire, UK, gentleman collector.

Comprising mainly triangular and leaf-shaped tanged types, narrow blades with midrib. 725 grams total, 9.3-21 cm



From a London, UK, collection, 1990s.

With a narrow triangular flange, a low-relief motif. 6.14 grams, 32.32 mm overall, 21.71 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Y, USA 12, Europe 27.51, Japan 26)



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

With a foliate blade, rhomboidal in section, raised mid-rib, medium-length stem widening at its base and forming a small stop, rectangular-section tang with bent terminal. 204 grams, 38.5 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

The specimen belongs to the category of tripartite spears with a long, pointed biconvex blade and a single bevelled tang. They seem to be a Mesopotamian and Susian (Elamite) variant, and this type also includes decorated blades, like the spear from Tello with the inscription 'King of Kish'.

Discoid body with raised rim and low-relief letters 'CS', wide D-section rectangular attachment slot and cook to the underside. 120 grams, 91 mm



From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

Comprising a swept curved blade with reinforced tip, reserved scrolled tendrils to each face; hilt with pierced fan to the pommel. 376 grams, 44.2 cm



Private collection, UK.

Comprising a lentoid-section bulbous grip with lateral stub quilloons and carinated spur to both faces ending in a trefoil, dished disc pommel with dome and knop; curved knuckle-guard with returned knop finial; reserved panels of arabesque foliage ornament, rosettes and linear detailing. 447 grams, 19.1 cm



Private collection, UK.

Including barbed-and-tanged, leaf-shaped, spade-shaped and other types. 339 grams total, 7.9-14 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Comprising a swept two-edged blade with ribbed central panel, bird-head pommel to the grip with incised rosette. 480 grams, 42 cm



Private collection, UK.