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LOT 1089
Chinese and Greek Bronze Arrowhead Group
CIRCA 3RD CENTURY B.C.-3RD CENTURY A.D.
1 - 1 1/2 in. (18.9 grams total, 24-40 mm).
Comprising two triangular-section Greek arrowheads; a gilt triangular-section arrowhead with short tubular socket. [3, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired in the 1980s-1990s.
Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman.
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Circa 11th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
With a piriform body and domed mouth; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 603 grams, 11.8 cm high
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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. -
Anglo-Saxon Iron Socketted Arrowhead
Circa 6th-8th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Comprising a triangular leaf-shaped blade with tapering socket. 10 grams, 87 mm
Found Cambridgeshire, UK. -
Luristan Bronze Axehead
12th-11th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
With elliptical socket and slightly flaring cheeks with cutting edge. 939 grams, 17.5 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
The axe corresponds to the Maxwell-Hyslop Type 20A, similar to specimens from Ordu and purely Asiatic in inspiration. An axe from Giyan has a distinct shaft tube which is not present on the Ordu axe, but the shape of the blade is similar and it is probable that smiths travelling over the Eastern Anatolian and Persian trade routes were responsible for making these typologies of axes.
