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LOT 1467
Celtic Iron Winged Axehead
LATE HALLSTATT-EARLY LA TENE PERIOD, CIRCA 800-450 B.C.
5 3/4 in. (390 grams, 14.8 cm).
Gently curving cutting edge and a long extension to the rear with lateral wings; very rare. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx M. Spiegelberg collection, since 1991; thence by descent.
Accompanied by a previous yellow cataloguing slip.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Circa 11th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
With a piriform body and domed mouth, stepped rings to the foot, engraved decoration on the shoulders with crosses and grapes; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 573 grams, 15 cm
Acquired 1990s. From the H.N. collection, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, UK. 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 Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also in bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Collection
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Comprising sixteen tanged arrowheads, mostly barbed types. 313 grams total, 6.5-14.7 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. -
Luristan Bronze Socketted Axehead
Circa 2200-1600 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
Curving blade and a tubular socket with decorative collars. 246 grams, 10 cm
From the collection of Martin Doyle, Leverstock, UK, 1980s-2000s.
