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LOT 1453
Canaanite 'Window' Bronze Axehead
2100-1800 B.C.
4 3/8 in. (142 grams, 11 cm).
Curving blade with two large 'eye-shaped' openings, cylindrical socket.
ProvenanceAcquired in the mid 1980s.
Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent.
Private collection, since the late 1990s
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Miron, E., Axes and Adzes from Canaan, Stuttgart, 1992, cat.no.231, p.53, pl.15; Gernez, G., L’armament en métal au Proche et Moyen-Orient: des origines a 1750 av. J.C., Paris, 2007, p.190, fig.2.42, type H4.
FootnotesThe ‘window’ axes have several morphological characteristics. The blade, semi-circular or elongated in shape, always ended in a rounded edge. In this type the blade was flat in section. It included two openings at its base—windows—of varying width, circular or oval. The haft consisted of a collar as wide as the blade. The weapon was threaded into an elongated wooden handle, often curved at its base, of oval section, with a differential width promoting the strength of the haft. It was thus wedged, and a rivet passed through the handle, just above the axe, serving as a stop.
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Piriform in profile with narrow point, deep shoulder and domed mouth; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 125 grams, 79 mm
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 Bronze Arrowhead Collection
13th-6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Comprising triangular types with thick midrib, heater-shaped, leaf-shaped, and other types, one with a long tang and barbed head. 312 grams total, 76-162 mm
Ex London art market, 1980-1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
One category of the represented arrowheads has a sharp, flat blade, the ends of which extend to form wings or barbs, and a prominent midrib extending into a long tang that often has a stop; the blade shape varies from deltoid to more triangular. Another form has no barbs, but it has a prominent midrib extending to the tang, and a narrow leaf-shaped blade, with squared shoulders. -
Amarlu Type Bronze Sword with Integral Hilt
10th-9th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
With a tapering two-edged blade with raised midrib and scaphoid lower-guard, rectangular tang with three raised collars and raised edges. 461 grams, 50 cm
Missing ear-shaped pommel
Ex London art market, 1980-1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The sword belongs to type VII of the Medvedskaya classification, characterised by ear-pommels, unfortunately here lost. These swords, usually found in the Amarlu area, had the handle cast with the blade, and the grip was solid and square, often decorated with horizontal collars.
