Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group

With short, cylindrical socket to rear, narrow neck, flared blade with curved cutting edge; underside of the blade swept in a gentle curve; short flanges above and below the rear of the socket; decorated overall with finely engraved silver inlays forming two dragons and interlace patterns (probably not original); provided with a display stand. 390 grams, 15.7 cm (813 grams total, 26.2 cm high including stand)



Acquired 1982 in Kaliningrad and transported to Riga in 1986, moved to East Berlin in 1988, and again to Germany in 2000, then UK in 2014. Ex West London collection. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00141022. 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.12476-228759. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Bulbous missile with domed filler hole, circumferential double band above the shoulder, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 388 grams, 10.6 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

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.

Comprising: a Martini-Henry brass ‘boxer’ cartridge cases, one with firing mark to the base; two lead heads of bullets fired from the Martini-Henry rifle; supplied with brass nameplate 'Anglo-Zulu War / Khambula / March 29th 1879'. 120 grams total, 3-10.1 cm



Found by Zulu natives, Khambula, South Africa, 1990s-early 2000s. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Following defeats by the Zulu army at Isandlwana and Hiobane, the British were desperate for a victory, which they secured at Khambula.