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LOT 1391
Late Roman Military Iron 'Dolabra' Trenching Tool
7TH CENTURY A.D.
10 in. (757 grams, 25.5 cm).
Pickaxe with two narrow, opposite and perpendicular cutting edges, central hole for the wooden handle flanked by two oval protrusions.
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Cf. Menis, G.C., I Longobardi, Milano, 1990, no.IX.7, for similar
FootnotesThis tool was used by Eastern Roman soldiers for trenching work, and it was also suitable for clearing stones, clearing rough terrain, and mining. If necessary, it could also be used as a weapon.
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Ovoid in profile with pointillé and linear decoration, domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 389 grams, 98 mm
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
5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
With horizontal ribbing, triangular flange extension with hatched detailing. 2.92 grams, 28.41 mm overall, 17.62 x 16.16 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)
From a private Tyneside collection, formed since the early 2000s. -
Caucasian Bronze Hilted Iron Sword
Iron Age, 8th-6th century B.C.Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,600
A broad sword with tapering blade and rounded shoulders, bronze hilt with crescentic pommel and apotropaic eye motifs to both sides; accompanied by bronze scabbard or baldric elements including a pair of eyelets with suspension loops, four circular appliqués with conical tips and ropework borders, and a scabbard chape with two opposing ibexes; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 2.2 kg total, 78 cm including stand
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. 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.12914-245170.
The sword belongs to the Caucasian culture of the Colchis, and represents a very rare typology. A similar blade was found together with early Scythian arrows during excavations at Karmir-Blur. A similar combination found at Kulanurkhva’s excavations suggests that the appearance of such blades in Abkhazia is linked to the Scythian campaigns in Near Eastern Asia.
