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LOT 1445
Greek and Other Bronze Arrowhead Collection
CIRCA 5TH-3RD CENTURY B.C.
1 - 1 5/8 in. (98.5 grams total, 24-40 mm).
Comprising mainly leaf-shaped, triangular, and trilobate socketted arrowheads. [28]
ProvenanceEx 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.
Cf. similar Graeco-Persian arrowheads in Head, D., The Achaemenid Persian Army, Stockport, 1992, figs.13, 16.
FootnotesIn Greek warfare, archers were mainly employed by Scythians and Cretans. Both used composite bows made of wood, horn, bone and sinew. This explains the great range of Scythian arrowheads also found on the Greek sites.
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AUCTIONS:
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Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Collection
13th-6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
A group of large tanged arrowheads mainly of triangular type. 319 grams total, 8.7-16.8 cm
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 with 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. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Piriform in profile with narrow point; the body decorated with raised teardrop-shaped bosses and impressed dots; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 630 grams, 13.3 cm
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. -
Phoenician Bronze Inscribed Arrowhead
12th-11th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,820
Broad trapezoidal form with cutting edges, fifteen inscribed characters to one face. 12.6 grams, 10.1 cm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
