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LOT 1420
Greek and Other Bronze Arrowhead Collection
CIRCA 5TH-3RD CENTURY B.C.
1 - 1 5/8 in. (63.5 grams total, 24-42 mm).
The group comprising triangular trilobate types, all socketted. [20]
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 the 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 found on the Greek sites.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Ovoid body with impressed ring to the shoulder, domed filler-hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 251 grams, 84 mm
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'.
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. -
Luristan Bronze Short Sword
2nd-1st millennium B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £468
With tapering, double-edged triangular blade and central midrib; crescent-shaped, tri-lobed guard at the shoulder; restored decorated cylindrical hilt with domed stone pommel. 878 grams, 54.2 cm
From a North West London collection; previously acquired in the 1980s. -
Viking Age Iron Socketted Spearhead
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Leaf-shaped blade with raised midrib extending to round-section tapering socket with fastening hole; professionally cleaned, conserved, and restored. 204 grams, 29 cm
From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s.