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LOT 1463
Large Medieval Bronze Sword Pommel
1300-1400 A.D.
1 7/8 in. (114 grams, 48 mm).
Of 'wheel' type, Ward Perkins 1940, Type VIII; octagonal in plan with chamfered edges and roughly circular in section, a rectangular perforation running through the length of the object, wider at the blade end and narrowing at the butt end; at the base; the perforation off-centre and worn to one edge. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound whilst searching with a metal detector in Warslow and Elkstones, Staffordshire Moorlands, West Midlands, UK.
Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.WWID-94E7C5.
See Oakeshott, E., Records of the Medieval Sword, Woodbridge, 1991, item XIV.5.
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:
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Luristan Bronze Short Sword with Inlaid Handle
1000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,430
With triangular tapering blade, flanged hilt to accept inlays, bone on the handle, two angular indentations on each side of the guard. 515 grams, 50 cm
with Bonhams, London, 4 July 1996, no.324. Private collection, Suffolk.
This dirk is of Medvedskaya type I, a common weapon among dirks and daggers produced in Luristan. According to Moorey, such kind of daggers were produced in Western Persia at least since the 13th century B.C. and remained in use at least until the 9th century B.C. The two practically identical examples published by Khorasani are preserved in the National Museum of Teheran. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Ovoid in profile with rounded base; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 922 grams, 14 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'.
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. -
Byzantine Decorated Bronze Archer's Thumb Ring
10th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
With triangular flange to one edge, incised hatching. 7.35 grams, 34.98 mm overall, 21,50 x 25.28 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Y 1/2, USA 12 1/4, Europe 28.2, Japan 27)
From a private Tyneside collection, formed since the early 2000s.
