Large Medieval Leaf-Shaped Iron Arrowhead

Comprising twelve rectangular plaques and a garnet inlaid buckle, each of the plaques with a pair of low-relief emperor's busts within a pelletted frame. 150 grams total, 35-61 mm



From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.

Piriform body with segmented shoulder and impressed roundels, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 759 grams, 12 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'.

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 geometric design on a hatched background and discoid pad to rear. 7.31 grams, 26.60 mm overall, 22.48 mm internal diameter (approximate size British X 1/2 , USA 11 3/4, Europe 26.92, Japan 25)



Acquired in the 1990s. Ex Private collection, Suffolk, UK. Property of a Kent lady collector.