A triangular bronze arrowhead on a display stand with a glass cover. 113 grams total, 16.6 cm including stand



Purchased on the European art market. Property of a Norfolk, UK, collector.

Piriform in profile with a stepped neck, incised decoration and three raised lugs; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 534 grams, 14 cm



From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s.

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.

Comprising a short tubular socket with flared neck to the angled blade; incised herringbone ornament to both faces flanked by pounced triangular panels in bilinear bands, 104 grams, 11.6 cm



From an old English collection formed since 1960.

With triangular spurs flanking the square socket, broad flaring triangular-section blade extending to a curved edge with carination to its rear, hammer extension to the reverse of socket. 474 grams, 20 cm



Ex North American private collection, 1970s-1990s.

With a tapering rectangular-section blade and a short tang. 239 grams, 31 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

These shoulderless spearheads are introducing the Luristan and Hamadan in the Median and Achaemenid Periods. The bronze type was cast in a mould, and the length suggests it was a throwing weapon or used in conjunction with a chariot.

Comprising a triangular blade with a narrow midrib, a short tang with two piercings, and attachment studs in situ. 125 grams, 25.6 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

The spearhead belongs to type 2 according to the classification of Khorasani. A similar specimen was excavated by Negahban in Marlik.

With a slender blade, chin to the lower edge with a spur to the rear, round socket with rectangular flanges; traces of the original wooden shaft inside the socket. 600 grams, 16.5 cm



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

Lenticular type with casting seam to the rim, raised 'Μ...ΝΗΣ' legend. 25.5 grams, 28 mm



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

The leaden bullets, which were thrown from slings, were called in Greek Molivdainai (μολύβδαιναι), and in Latin glandes; the former indicating the material ‘lead’, the latter the shape ‘acorns’. These bullets were cast in a mould and bore letters or devices, or both, on two sides or on only one. In form, they were more like an almond than an acorn, but many are pointed at both ends; in size, they are generally about one and a half inches in maximum length, and under one inch in maximum width.

Lenticular type with casting seam to the rim, raised 'AΓΟΡΟΥ' legend (genitive for Agouros = immature, unripe). 32.7 grams, 31 mm



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

Sometimes the bullet carries a joke for the enemy. Here, the bullet bears the inscription ‘immature’, signifying that the enemy will receive not a nice fruit to eat, but an unripe fruit, a fruit he never wants to get.

Piriform in plan with convex surface, high-relief repoussé acanthus-leaf palmette; mounting holes at the narrow end, edge chipped. 39.6 grams, 15.3 cm



From the late collection of a Cornish couple, formed from the early 1990s.

Comprising a triangular blade with a facetted, flaring neck and a rectangular-section tang. 288 grams, 30 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

The weapon belongs to the type 1 of the spear-head classification of Khorasani, mainly originating from Marlik or Amlash areas. Similar pieces have been dated by Stutzinger to 1200-1100 B.C.

Piriform in profile with a domed mouth and a stepped neck; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 505 grams, 15.7 cm



From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s.

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.