Iron Rowel Spur Pair

With three-lobe pommel and decorated guard; the blade 45mm wide at the upper end, gently tapering with fuller to both faces, rounded tip, indented ring to one face with silver inlay, scaphoid-section lower guard with two rows of shallow pellets to each face gilt or latten inlay; flat tapering tang; pommel of Petersen's Type S with traces of vertical inlaid wire. 752 grams, 93 cm



From the family collection of a London gentleman; formed in the late 1940s-1950s; thence by descent. Accompanied by metallurgic analytical report number 114366/569, written by metallurgist Dr Brian Gilmour of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford. 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 a search certificate number no.12020-214090.

Biconvex body with impressed billeted bands and domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 460 grams, 13.9 cm



From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 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'.

The shape corresponds with a fire grenade in the Kars Museum, no.14.09.2009. 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.

With a long triangular blade, strongly marked midrib divided into five grooves, rectangular-section tang; engraved and reinforced shaft with diagonal and horizontal grooves. 474 grams, 43 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

This homogeneous subtype (LF 2a of Gernez) is characterised by a set of morphological particularities which constitute a functional and aesthetic outcome. The tapered blade, triangular (like in our case) or ogival, is reinforced by a strong median bulge. The intermediate part often bears an incised or moulded decoration and the base is with a marked widening or with a stopper disc. The tang, square in section, is curved and widens at the end almost at a right angle.