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LOT 1346
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Point Group
CIRCA 12TH-10TH CENTURY B.C.
5 7/8 in. (92 grams total, 15 cm each).
Each with a sturdy square-section tang, broad barbed head with midrib. [3, No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx London, UK, collection, 1990s.
LiteratureSee Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, figure 467, for the main type.
FootnotesTwo of these arrowheads seem to belong to the type V, subcategory type C, according to the classification of Khorasani and Negahban. In the four categories of triangular bronze arrowheads from Luristan, Marlik and Northern Iran individuated by Negahban, subtypes C and D of type V are larger arrow or javelin heads, C with barbed shoulders.
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Greek Bronze Arrowhead with Maker's Mark
4th-2nd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Substantial barbed and tanged arrowhead, lozengiform in section with triangular lug to each face; punched 'crown' maker's mark to one face. 10.2 grams, 57 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Collection
Circa 14th-10th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Including triangular, leaf-shaped, barbed and other types. 324 grams total, 37-92 mm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.
The arrowhead of type IV according to Khorasani classification (arrowheads with jet like wings) is very interesting and rare. Similar arrowheads, often found in the Marlik excavations, looked like a stylised flying bird, such as a swallow. They have rounded terminals of the stretched-out wings. The rib on the blade thickens towards the point. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the upper body with a cross-shaped herringbone motif radiating from the filler hole, the space in between the arms with ring-and-annulet motifs; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 431 grams, 10.5 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.
