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LOT 1513
Anglo-Saxon Iron 'Battle Damaged' Shield Boss and Spear
CIRCA 6TH CENTURY A.D.
6 3/4 - 6 7/8 in. (437 grams total, 17-17.5 cm).
Comprising: ferrous shield boss of Härke & Dickinson's Type 3 with broad flange, deep sidewall with carination and domed cone; flared apex stud; traces of fixing rivets in underside of flange; spearhead of Swanton's Type E2, lenticular in section with elongated lozengiform profile, split socket. [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound East Anglia, UK.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Dickinson, T. & Härke, H., Early Anglo-Saxon Shields, London, 1992, p.14; Swanton, M.J., Spearheads of the Anglo-Saxon Settlements, London, 1973, fig.25.
FootnotesThe distortion to the shield boss appears to have been produced by an impact blow from a sturdy, wedge-section blade, probably an axe.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1513
Anglo-Saxon Iron 'Battle Damaged' Shield Boss and Spear
Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Piriform in profile, four raised lugs on the body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 1.46 kg, 19 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s onwards. 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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. -
Luristan Barbed Bronze Arrowhead
13th-6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Comprising a paddle-shaped blade with long barbs, circular-section socket and a tapering square-section tang. 16.2 grams, 12.9 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Mesopotamian Bronze Macehead with Raised Bosses
Early 2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £700 - 900 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £350
Of cylindrical shape, the upper section with prominent bosses and flanges, short cylindrical shaft edged at top and bottom with collars; mounted on a custom-made stand. 630 grams total, 21 cm including stand
with ArtAncient, 2010. Private collection, London. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.