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LOT 0242
Luristan Bronze Hilted Dirk
CIRCA 1000 B.C.
18 3/4 in. (363 grams, 47.5 cm).
The blade with a tapering profile, triangular in overall form, with square shoulders, penannular guard with strong midrib, flanged hilt with straight grip, widening slightly into a fan-shaped pommel.
ProvenanceAcquired from Alan Cherry, Bournemouth, UK.
Ex Alexander Cotton collection, Hampshire, UK 1980s.
Cf. similar sword in Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour of Iran, Germany, 2006, cat.12, for similar example in the National Museum of Iran in Tehran.
FootnotesThese types of short sword or dirks were usually cast in one piece, and the penannular rib in relief was cast on at the same time with the handle of the blade. In some cases, however, the penannular rib was later cast on the dagger, possibly to strengthen a weak point at the junction of hilt and blade. The flanged hilt was originally filled with organic material like bone.
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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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Of squat piriform shape with shallow vertical dashes decorating the upper body, stamped triangles above and below. 579 grams, 10.4 cm
Family collection, acquired 1980-2015. Ex property of a North London gentleman. 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
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £80
The group comprising various types of tanged arrowheads, including barbed and leaf-shaped examples. 175 grams total, 8.1-10.5 cm
Acquired 1990s. From the collection of a late Japanese weaponry collector. -
Large Viking Iron Socketted Spearhead
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
Comprising a leaf-shaped blade with lozenge cross-section, raised midrib, closed tubular socket; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 1.76 kg total, 43.5 cm including stand
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
The spear belongs to the type A of the first main group of Viking spears, the so-called Frankish spearheads, which occur between 750 and 950 A.D., but mainly in the 8th and 9th centuries. The Mediterranean influence is still evident on the foliate shape of the blade.
