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LOT 1551
African Ceremonial Iron Double Axe
LATE 20TH CENTURY A.D.
22 1/4 in. (450 grams, 56.5 cm).
Comprising: tapering wooden shaft with circumferential grooves; iron twibill head with two-part flat socket riveted to two crescent blades, each with punched rectangular slots and holes, butted rings to the inner angles. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceProperty of a Berkshire, UK, gentleman collector.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Luristan Bronze Socketted Axehead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
With a short socketted shaft and flange to the mouth, broadening blade towards the cutting edge. 367 grams, 12 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Ovoid in profile with a rounded base, a circumferential band around the neck; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 650 grams, 11.8 cm
From a specialist collection, London, UK, 1990-2000s. 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. -
Large Greek Socketted Iron Spearhead
Sarissa, circa 3rd-2nd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
Comprising a leaf-shaped lentoid-section blade and long tubular socket. 826 grams, 38.5 cm
Ex Hermann Historica, 7 October 2009, no.207 (Part). Private collection, Germany. Kept in the UK from 2016.
