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LOT 1423
Large Romano-British Bronze Military Boss
1ST CENTURY A.D.
3 in. (174 grams total, 74 mm wide).
Substantial cast cupola with dimple to the apex, reverse with two ferrous attachment spikes; possibly from a field artillery piece. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceReputed to have been excavated near Viables in Hampshire at the end of the 19th century.
From the estate of the late Jennifer Simmonds.
Acquired from Jacobs & Hunt auctioneers, Petersfield, Hampshire, UK.
See Marsden, E.A., Greek and Roman Artillery. Historical Development, Oxford, 1969, for discussion.
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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Iron Age Celtiberian Dagger
Circa 2nd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
Hand-forged with leaf-shaped blade and three pronounced midribs, rounded shoulder, stepped lower guard square-section tang, upper guard with stepped upper face. 186 grams, 37.5 cm
Ex Mayfair gallery, London, UK, before 1999. Property of a London, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by a copy of a previous catalogue information page. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
With domed filler-hole, broad shoulder, alternating bands of crescent impressed detailing; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 242 grams, 10.1 cm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. 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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form. -
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Circa 13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £176
With tubular socket and flared rim to the mouth, vertical axe-blade with curved cutting edge, horizontal adze blade of similar proportions. 1.37 kg, 26.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
