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LOT 1426
Luristan Bronze Dirk with Handle
2ND-1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
16 1/4 in. (245 grams, 41.5 cm).
Comprising a narrow parallel-sided two-edged lentoid-section blade, integral grip formed with sockets to both faces, lateral flanges to accept organic inserts.
ProvenanceAcquired in the 1990s.
Ex Abelita family collection.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran - The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006, p.378, cat.8.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Viking Socketted Iron Spearhead
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
A short, leaf-shaped blade and tapering, round-section socket, pierced for attachment to a shaft. 102 grams, 18 cm
Fair condition.
UK gallery, acquired in the 2000s. Property of an English gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Viking Age Iron Long Bearded Axehead
10th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £936
Finely curved broad blade with chin to the lower edge, rounded socket with lateral triangular extensions and a rectangular extension to the rear; restored and conserved. 648 grams, 20 cm
From the family collection of a South East London collector; formerly acquired in the late 1950s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This type of bearded axe seems to correspond to the E2 category of the Viking axe classification, but also has affinity with the Slavic type of axes Y. Usually these bearded axeheads (skeggöks) had a longer edge, designed to split tree trunks into planks and beams. Some of the bearded axes were known as halfÞynna öx; the neck on such a 'half thin axe' was thinly forged, to make it lighter. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Squat body with domed mouth, misshapen during manufacturing process; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 365 grams, 88 mm
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.
