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

Comprising two triangular-section rectangular flints. 11.2 grams total, 17-28 mm



Found Brandon, Suffolk, UK. From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s. Accompanied by an old information packet handwritten by Peter Clayton.

Comprising: piriform leather pouch with saddle-stitched seam; brass tubular neck with spring-loaded mechanism to deliver a pre-measured amount to the mouth, stamped at top 'OZ / 1 ¼ /1'; neck stamped '1b 2½'. 78 grams, 21.4 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Nottinghamshire, UK, gentleman.

With traditional X-shaped carved wooden hilt, narrow two-edged blade with hooked end for slicing; old collector's label 'Hamstringing Sudanese curved knife for slashing at horses' hocks. Probably from battle of Omdurman Sept. 2nd 1898'. 140 grams, 25.6 cm



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

Slender triangular blade with a shallow midrib, a short tang with piercing to accept a rivet. 190 grams, 34 cm



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

Ovoid body with rounded base and domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 425 grams, 10.9 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.

Comprising a leaf-shaped blade with a midrib, a long tapering socket with a flared mouth. 154 grams, 25.5 cm



Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.

Two-edged triangular blade with a thick median rib, crescentic pennannular guard; grip with integral pommel, socket to each face to accept a bone inlay. 340 grams, 38.5 cm



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

These bronze daggers or dirks, typical of Marlik culture, were cast in a one-piece mould according to Negahban, although in some specimens the penannular guard was cast later into the blade. The separate sets of encircling ribs on the grips are again typical of swords from the Marlik area.

Broad triangular blade with slightly raised midrib and a short, pierced tang. 213 grams, 33.6 cm



Ex Abelita collection, 1980s-2010.

Biconical in profile, one face decorated with a lance tip above the Greek inscription 'EPMAPXOY'. 34.1 grams, 30 mm



From a German private collection, formed since the 1980s.

This is an important lead sling bullet; the previously unknown general Hermarchos is attested for the first time.

Formed as a leaf-shaped blade with raised ribs on both sides, pierced through the tang. 41 grams, 12.2 cm



From an ancient art collection, formerly acquired in the UK, European, and USA art markets from pre-2000 collections. Property of a West Northamptonshire, UK, gentleman.

Bulbous body with rounded base and 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. 760 grams, 11.6 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.

Slender blade with a raised midrib and flat-section tang with attachment hole. 222 grams, 33.9 cm



Ex Abelita collection, 1980-2010.