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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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Luristan Bronze Spearhead
Early 2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Foliate blade with a central rib and slender shoulders, short rectangular shaft and tang with a bent finial. 643 grams, 42.2 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
A number of similar blades, some considered to be spearheads and others to be daggers, all with a bent tang, derived from Tepe Hissar Culture III. Some of them, like our specimen, have a button terminal, and some others have a plain, pointed terminal. The general dating of these specimens is fixed to the early 2nd millennium B.C. -
Indian Gilt Bronze Talwar Sword Hilt
Late 19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Comprising a lentoid-section bulbous grip with lateral stub quillons and carinated spur to both faces, dished disc pommel with dome and knop; reserved panels of gilt arabesque ornament, rosettes and linear detailing. 285 grams, 17.5 cm
Private collection, UK. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Ovoid in profile with a rounded base, a band of annulets and vertical lines on the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 691 grams, 14.6 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.
