Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History, Stamps & Coins

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'.

With a piriform body and domed mouth, stepped rings to the foot, engraved decoration on the shoulders with crosses and grapes; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 573 grams, 15 cm



Acquired 1990s. From the H.N. collection, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, UK. 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 Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also in bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

Egg-shaped with spiked prongs to the socket, narrow, rounded cutting edge. 165 grams, 11.9 cm



From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

The 'claw mace' was an enigmatic ancient bronze weapon from the Bronze Age Near East. The hollow bulbous head was trailed by tines of varying lengths. It is believed that it was affixed over a wooden shaft and used like a club in combat, and not necessarily used as a ceremonial weapon. The knife-edge bulb end could have broken bones and proven to be a formidable striking weapon requiring no skill to wield. The tines would have not only been decorative, but would have served to add strength below the striking end to prevent breakage. In battle, maces were often used by commanders to display rank when giving orders in battle and leading soldiers, inspiring leadership and power. Egg-shaped with spiked sleeves or prongs, the top of the weapon has a narrow edge, and the sleeves have small internal tangs for mounting.

With a paddle-shaped, curving blade, a short neck, and an oval-shaped socket with a comma-shaped extension on the rear. 250 grams, 15.3 cm



From a UK collection formed in the 1980s. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

Large bulbous body and a domed filler-hole, two circumferential bands above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 743 grams, 13.4 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.

Slender blade with raised midrib and a short, pierced tang; Amlash or Marlik. 300 grams, 39 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1990s.

Leaf-shaped blade with a wide midrib extending towards the flaring shaft, a rectangular-section tang with bent finial. 319 grams, 35.6 cm



Ex Abelita collection, 1990s.

Comprising a wide curving blade and long neck with a band of herringbone decoration at the base, tubular neck with claw-like extension to the rear and a decorative diagonal band to both sides. 308 grams, 10.6 cm



Acquired on the Swiss art market, 1997. Private collection, Europe.

Similar examples of axeheads were produced in Luristan, and early parallels date back to 2200 B.C. They have moulding bands at the base, and the shaft is often crosshatched, showing different lozenge-shaped figures.

Comprising a triangular blade with a broad midrib, a short neck and a square-section tang with a bent finial. 309 grams, 32.6 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

Large triangular blade with raised midrib and a short, tapering tang. 241 grams, 34.4 cm



Ex Abelita collection, 1990s.

With slightly carinated equator to the globular body and tubular shaft. 377 grams, 91 mm



From the collection of North West London, UK, gentleman, early 2000s.

Comprising fifteen triangular-type socketed arrowheads. 31 grams total, 20-35 mm



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