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LOT 1484
Luristan Bronze Bulbous Macehead
CIRCA 7TH-6TH CENTURY B.C.
3 7/8 in. (167 grams, 98 mm).
With three round knobs at the top, radiating from the hollow shaft, with a further three heater-shaped projections below. [No Reserve]
ProvenancePrivate collection, UK.
LiteratureCf. Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron, Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, nos.68-71, for similar.
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
A piriform ceramic missile with domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 750 grams, 10.5 cm
From a military inspired collection formed from the 1990s. 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. -
Medieval Iron Incendiary Fire Arrowhead with Pierced Cross
Circa 12th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
The wide blade with an incised cross motif, pierced through at the end of each arm, long tang with a collar. 37 grams, 12.1 cm
Acquired on the French art market. From the private collection of a Buckinghamshire, UK, gentleman.
The central void was included to allow cloth soaked in tallow to be bound around the arrowhead; this was ignited before shooting. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Short Sword with Integral Hilt with Horns
Late 2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
A bronze dagger blade with prominently curved guard, which extends out from the ricasso of the blade and partly frames the hilt, thick flat midrib extending slightly above the ricasso where it held the hilt. 466 grams, 53 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The hilt of such swords was made separately, and unfortunately is nearly always missing from the archaeological records. Similar daggers had a northern Iranian background and excavated examples have been recorded from the South Caspian Area from Tomadjan and Ghalekuti.
