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

Scaraboid type with geometric horse motif; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.9 grams, 16 mm



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

With heater-shaped blade, low midrib, lateral barbs, long round-section tang; mounted on a custom-made stand. 78 grams total, 19.5 cm high including stand



Ex Abelita collection, 1980s-2010.

Of octagonal form, the white ground painted in cobalt-blue, green, red, black and yellow, a central stylised flower motif at the top flanked by four holes leading to tubular supports, the outer face with eight keyhole archways surrounded by painted decoration. 791 grams, 15 cm wide



From an old Bath, UK, collection. Acquired on the UK art market since the 1990s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.

Plano-convex type with incuse motif to underside, stag resting with legs folded beneath the body; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 3.24 grams, 14 mm



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

A triangular head with rounded edges, low-relief linear nose and left ear; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 116 grams total, 96 mm including stand



Ex Hirsch Auction, Munich, 22 September 2004, no.1222.

With a lentoid-section blade, tongue-shaped in plan, with an integral tapering hilt with flared finial, lateral flanges to accept a panel of bone to each face forming the grip. 185 grams, 32.5 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

The art of Luristan can be described as the art of nomadic herdsmen and horsemen with an emphasis on the crafting of small, easily portable objects, among these a great number of bronze weapons. The rich and noble aristocrats of the Luristan, Elamites, Hurrians, Lullubians, Kutians, and Kassites went to battle splendidly equipped and wore magnificent bronze armour, using maces, spears and daggers as offensive weapons, alongside spears, bows and arrows.

With a short socketted shaft and flange to the mouth, a broadening blade towards the cutting edge. 374 grams, 12.3 cm



Ex Abelita collection, 1990s.

Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 590 grams, 10.3 cm



Ex important collection of weaponry, London, UK, 1980-1990s. 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.

Socketed spearhead with a spheroconic transition; the long, square-sectioned point separated from the socket by a small sphere. 245 grams, 31 cm



Acquired on the UK art market since the 1960s. From the private collection of Mr J.P.H., a Woolwich, UK, collector, his collection formed since the 1960s.

Comprising barbed-and -tanged, triangular, leaf-shaped and other typs. 331 grams total, 8-16.5 cm



Ex Abelita collection, 1980-2010.

Leaf-shaped arrowhead with a raised midrib extending to a tubular, short socket, Phoenician letters on both sides. 5.34 grams, 41 mm



London gentleman's collection, 1970-1990s, by descent.

The style of the socketed arrowhead is related to the period of the Achaemenid Empire. Although the Phoenician arrowheads with inscriptions are mostly prevalent at the end of the Bronze Age, the arrowhead can prove that ownership inscriptions on this kind of weapon persisted over time.

British 1885 Pattern (sword weighs 2.51 lb) with lozenge-section tip and fuller to each face of the blade; swept guard with openwork saltire design; stamped EFD Enfield Factory Department (or Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield), an X-bend test mark, a crowsfoot army acceptance mark, two angles touching - sold out of service, issue dates 03, 05, 08 and lots of inspection marks (crown over a number over a letter (E – for Enfield); brass scabbard with two suspension rings, very faint inscription 'Sword Cutter to his Majesty [ ] [ ] London' and not issued with the sword. 1.6 kg total, 98.5 cm



From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.