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LOT 1145
Luristan Bronze Axehead
2ND-1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
8 1/4 in. (1.3 kg, 21 cm).
With wide swept blade, large socket with raised circumferential rib, hammer to the rear.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
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AUCTIONS:
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Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger
2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
With narrow pointed blade and wide raised flange down centre, straight sides, well marked shoulders with wide tang, one upper hole for rivet. 149 grams total, 21 cm high including stand
From the possessions of a member of a German princely family, gathered in the late 19th century, until the 1930s. with Auction House CUSP, Vienna, Auction Antique Art from Asia and from the Eastern Mediterranean, 16 June 2012, lot 75 [Part].
The type was technically more advanced than previous types of blades in the Near East due to its shape and its slightly convex sides widening out near the point, which combined the advantages of the leaf-shaped and straight-sided forms. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, raised vertical flanges to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 500 grams, 12 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'.
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. -
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
12th-10th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Comprising seventeen tanged arrowheads, most of them having large elongated triangular blades and raised midrib; one with long tang. 105 grams total, 34 - 82 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
Most of these arrowhead seem to belong to the type V, subcategory types A and 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 A and C are small triangular arrowheads with barbed shoulders. The arrowhead with squared shoulders belongs to type III of the same classification.
