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

Comprising fifteen tanged arrowheads, mainly leaf-shaped and barbed types. 247 grams total, 4.8-18 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Bulbous body with a tiered base; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 960 grams, 14.8 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.

Mainly biconical types, some with raised lettering and other ornament; supplied with old collector's record tickets. 411 grams total, 29-32 mm



Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of a Middlesex gentleman.

Comprising a cylindrical shaft with flared mouth, rounded flanges around the bulb, and horizontal stepped collars. 263 grams, 13.4 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

Slender blade with a raised midrib and tubular socket. 222 grams, 36.5 cm



From the collection of Martin Doyle, Leverstock, UK, 1980s-2000s.

Large leaf-shaped blade with a narrow midrib and a rectangular-section tang with bent finial. 275 grams, 30.4 cm



Ex Abelita collection, 1990s.

Comprising a triangular blade with integral ribbed handle and a crescentic pommel. 450 grams, 40 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

These kinds of bronze daggers or dirks, typical of Marlik culture, were cast in a one piece mould according to Negahban, although in some specimens the guard was later cast into the blade. The separate sets of encircling ribs on the grips are again typical of swords from the Marlik area. In our specimen the grip is opened on one side to receive organic filling.

With a slender heart-shaped blade, thick midrib, flared closed socket. 120 grams, 28 cm



From a 1980s collection. Ex North West London gallery. with TimeLine Auctions, 22-27 May 2018, no.1480. Private collection, Suffolk.

Lentoid in section, brazil-nut type with vertical slot to accept the tang. 79 grams, 38 mm



Found UK. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.

Leaf-shaped blade with prominent midrib extending to a square-section tang. 512 grams, 37 cm



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

Comprising fourteen tanged arrowheads, mainly barbed and leaf-shaped types. 260 grams total, 5-17 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Piriform body with tiered neck and domed filler-hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 788 grams, 15.1 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.