Luristan Bronze Arrowhead

Square in section and curved in profile with pierced lobes and attachment rivets. 252 grams total, 7.2-43 cm



UK gallery, early 2000s.

These kind of shields are often found in the burials of nomadic warriors of Eastern Europe accompanied by certain sets of weapons — four-part helmets, quiver kits, sabers and a spearhead. Such graves contained the remains of similar wooden shields with metal parts. Determining the dating of these burial complexes in the framework of the Golden Horde time, the Archaeologists dwell in detail on the attribution of the helmets and the remnants of the shields, linking their appearance in the Northeast Black Sea Coast with the resettlement here of the black hoods from Southern Russia in 1260s.

A hollow ceramic vessel with cylindrical body, carinated shoulder, short neck and domed mouth; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 519 grams, 17 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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 piece was a sort of ceramic fire grenade, similar to the ones used by the Eastern Romans but of Turco-Mongol type. Apart from the use of manual flame-throwers, special corps of soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations.

Comprising fifteen tanged examples, including one slender arrowhead in iron. 112 grams total, 44-75 mm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.