Anglo-Saxon Iron Shield Boss Pair

Piriform body with domed mouth, four raised lugs to the upper body with a hatched band beneath, the field decorated with X-motifs with impressed dots between the arms; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 387 grams, 11.5 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.

Leaf-shaped blade with raised midrib extending to round-section tapering socket with fastening hole; restored and conserved. 270 grams, 31.6 cm



From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Of Oakeshott's Type XV or XVIII, cross style 8, pommel style J (recessed) with a strongly tapering, pointed blade of 'flattened diamond'-section; tapering lower-guard with downturned finials; long, slightly tapering grip and a large disc pommel with chamfered edges, inlay to both sides with a low-relief image of Lamb of God, possibly a later addition; some contemporary repairs. 1.6 kg, 1.19 m



From the private family collection of a lady, UK; acquired in Germany mid 20th century. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12787-240329. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Many swords of this type have long grips, like the war-swords of Type XIII. After about 1350, nine swords out of ten seem to have such grips, and are today variously referred to as 'Hand-and-a-half' or 'Bastard' swords. The latter term was used in the 15th century, but it is not certain that it was applied to this particular kind of weapon. 'Hand-and-a-half'', though modern, is a far more fitting name; these swords were single-handed weapons, but by being furnished with long grips, could at need be wielded easily in both.