Loading, please wait...
LOT 1508
Greek Bronze Arrowheads with Original Shafts
CIRCA 5TH-3RD CENTURY B.C.
1 3/4 - 2 1/4 in. (19.9 grams total, 45-57 mm).
Comprising four triangular tanged types and one leaf-shaped socketted type, four with original wooden shafts; rare. [5, No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx Robin Symes Gallery, Mayfair, pre 1999.
From a London, UK, collection.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Connolly, P., Greece and Rome at War, London, 2006, p.50, fig.8-11, for some of the specimens represented here.
FootnotesMissile troops were not neglected in ancient Greece. In the mid-4th century B.C. Athens, inscriptions list boxes of arrows; in 282, a Cretan coach is recorded as being employed to train Athenian archers, and Sparta too had long since employed Cretan archers. Bow and quiver of great value were often the prize of sport competitions.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade with Birds
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Piriform in profile with domed mouth; the lower body with three standing birds, concentric circles to the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 685 grams, 14.5 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. -
Luristan Bronze Spearhead
13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Composed of a leaf-shaped blade with tapering socket. 355 grams, 44 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Luristan Bronze Short Sword with Blood Channels
14th-10th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £9,750
Triangular blade with raised midrib flanked by shallow grooves extending from the integral lower-guard to the tip; the lower guard with raised coffee bean-shaped bosses to both sides; grooved handle with raised ribs and a large openwork crescentic pommel bearing a similar decoration to the blade at the top; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 1.31 kg total, sword: 47 cm long
Ex Rabi Gallery, London, UK, 1980s. From a private Surrey, UK, collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12606-234422. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The now empty cavities of the handle were once filled with organic material.
