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LOT 1577
Bactrian Silver Macehead with Interlaced Dragons
2ND-1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
7 7/8 in. (440 grams total, 20 cm including stand).
Hollow-formed with bulb finial, low-relief image of opposed dragons with detailed scale texture; circumferential band with incised guilloche below; rim chipped; mounted on a custom-made stand.
ProvenanceLondon, UK gallery, 1971-early 2000s.
Private collection, London, UK.
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AUCTIONS:
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Fencing Épée with Engraved Brass Basket
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Slender triangular-section blade with scooped quillons, bell guard with engraved foliage ornament, and inner fabric sleeve, turned grip with knop finial. 472 grams, 106 cm
Property of a Berkshire, UK, gentleman collector. -
Late Roman Iron Latch Key
4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Comprising a broad bow and short shank, perpendicular stem with incised notching to the lateral bit. 31.15 grams, 67 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Rounded, undecorated body with a rounded base; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 424 grams, 95 mm
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.
