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LOT 1348
Anglo-Saxon Iron Socketted Spearhead
5TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
10 1/4 in. (190 grams, 26 cm).
Lentoid-section leaf-shaped blade with slender neck and long closed socket; Swanton's Group D1. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound near Wetwang, East Yorkshire, UK.
Acquired circa 2005.
Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK.
Cf. Swanton, M.J. Spearheads of the Anglo-Saxon Settlements, London, 1973, fig.18(d).
FootnotesA small number of leaf-shaped blades measuring between some 16 and 28 cm in length are similar to the smaller leaf-shaped pieces of the Swanton series C, except that they tend to be more slender overall. The socket is always narrowly split up its entire length.
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
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
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Piriform body with lattice to upper body and impressed bands to shoulder, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 644 grams, 12.8 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 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'.
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. -
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Comprising: long slender javelin head with rectangular-section tang; lentoid-section parallel-sided blade with broad tip and sturdy tang. 226 grams total, 24.2 - 29.5 cm
with a London, UK gallery 1971-early 2000s. -
Iron Rowel Spur Pair
18th-19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
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