Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins

Comprising fifteen tanged arrowheads, four with elongated triangular blades and raised midrib, two of squared type with flat tang, three with barbed shoulders and short cylindrical stem with handle for the shaft; two with squared shoulders and rectangular stem with handle for the shaft, one with leafed elongated blade, one with wide triangular head and long handle for the shaft, and other two long and spiked with raised midrib. 240 grams total, 7.1-16.5 cm



London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Some of the arrowheads belong to type V of the Khorasani classification: subtype D (triangular arrowheads with rounded or angular midrib) and subtype C, arrowheads with elongated, triangular shape with barbed shoulders and convex sides, and a raised midrib with a sharp central line.

A mixed group of socketted and tanged arrowheads. 180 grams total, 16-52 mm



London, UK, collection, 1990s.

In ancient Greek warfare, archers were mainly employed by Scythians and Cretans. Both used composite bows made of wood, horn, bone and sinew. This explains the great range of Scythian arrowheads found on the Greek sites.

A bronze reproduction of a Corinthian helmet with a deep nasal and cheek guards; supplied with a custom-made perspex display case. 10.05 kg total, 40.5 cm high including stand (helmet: 26.5 cm high)



Private collection, UK.

With a triangular tapering blade and a flat cutting edge, oval socket. 997 grams, 17 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

Lentoid in form with raised figure of a coiled snake to one face, possible legend to reverse. 31.2 grams, 31 mm



Private collection, Austria. Private collection, Europe.

With elongated swept barbs flanking a butted socket. 29.3 grams, 14.5 cm



Acquired from a USA private collector in the 1990s. Ex Buckinghamshire, UK, collection.

Gently curved narrow blade with scoop to the lower edge, a rounded socket with lateral triangular extensions; conserved with brown wax. 541 grams, 18 cm



Found near Repton, Derbyshire, UK, the site of an important Viking battle.

Comprising a triangular blade with a rounded tip, a flaring neck with incised barleytwist detailing, and a square-section tang with bent tip. 355 grams, 32.2 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

Comprising a tapering tubular socket with raised ribs, a triangular blade with a raised midrib; ferrel collars to the shaft. 80 grams, 18.6 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

These kinds of spearheads were realised by casting in a mould. They were of different lengths and used by Luristan, Hamadan, early Median and Achaemenid warriors. The bronze rings were destined to reinforce the structure of the bronze shaft, because the blow, with this spear, was usually delivered by grasping the spear with two hands.

Comprising a long slender tang and balustered neck, rectangular head with 'chisel' blade, median slot and hole for attachment of flammable material. 31.9 grams, 16.9 cm



Acquired from a USA private collector in the 1990s. Ex Buckinghamshire, UK, collection.

Globular in profile with linear decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 678 grams, 11.5 cm



From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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'.

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.

Each a square-section hollow shank tapering to a narrow tip. 160 grams, 46.1-58.7 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.