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LOT 0339
Amarlu Type Bronze Sword with Mushroom Pommel
LATE 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
20 1/4 in. (598 grams, 51.5 cm).
With solid hilt having a penannular guard, an openwork grip and a conical cast mushroom pommel, the blade with pronounced mid-rib and tapering to a sharp point.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
See typology of such swords in Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran - The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, pp.393-396, cat.31-36.
FootnotesAccording to Moorey, such swords with mushroom pommels originated from North-Western Iran, as proved by Amarlu finds. He dates them to the end of the 2nd millennium B.C., more precisely to a period between 1400-1200 B.C.
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Luristan Bronze Blade
1200-1100 B.C.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £130
With a long pointed triangular blade and a short tang, two rivet holes at the base of the blade. 193 grams, 36.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The Luri people produced a quantity of fine metalwork, which according to Dr. Khorasani, could be due to a settled period which arose as a result of the defeat of the Elamites by the Babylonians, leaving the Luristani people in relative peace for a period of time after 1200 BC. According to Khorasani 'A culture of innovation and experimentation flourished, and the repertoire of the Luristan smiths expanded in the period between 1150–1050 BC.' -
Luristan Bronze Spearhead
Late 2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
With ovate blade, central round rib and curved shoulders, the cylindrical long shaft widening towards the end, encasing a rectangular tang with bent tip. 351 grams, 44 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
Similar spearheads were excavated in Marlik. Negahban stated that based upon the evidence on archaeological finds from West-North Iran, this type of spearhead may be dated to the final centuries of 2nd millennium B.C. -
Large Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Piriform missile with domed filler-hole, three raised lugs to the body and a circumferential decorative band composed of chevrons and ring-and-dot motifs; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 1.2 kg, 20.2 cm
From a specialist London, UK, arms and armour collection, 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.
