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LOT 1492
Elamite Bronze Macehead with Faces
EARLY 1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
4 1/4 in. (155 grams total, 10.8 cm including stand).
A hollow-formed decorative mace or sceptre-head formed as a tubular neck with segmented collar, segmented shoulder above three radiating masks each with exaggerated circular eyes, brow developing to a triangular nose above a crescent mouth; neck developing to a ribbed collar below; mounted on a custom-made stand. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceProperty of a London gentleman; acquired on the London art market in the 2000s.
From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Ovoid in profile with a rounded base, a band of ring-and-dot motifs on the shoulder and radiating indentations on the base; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 783 grams, 14.7 cm
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. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Collection
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Including barbed-and-tanged, spade-shaped and other types. 319 grams total, 7.4-18 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. -
Luristan Bronze Short Sword
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £884
Triangular blade with single median rib, crescent-shaped hollow pommel open at the edges to accept an organic insert, columnar grip and lower guard at the juncture between hilt and blade. 499 grams, 50 cm
Ex Norri collection, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, UK, 1980s-1990s.
