Luristan Bronze Macehead

Ovoid in profile with scrolled linear decoration and impressed pellets; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 400 grams, 10.7 cm



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'.

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.

Of 'wheel' type, Ward Perkins 1940, Type VIII; octagonal in plan with chamfered edges and roughly circular in section, a rectangular perforation running through the length of the object, wider at the blade end and narrowing at the butt end; at the base; the perforation off-centre and worn to one edge. 114 grams, 48 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Warslow and Elkstones, Staffordshire Moorlands, West Midlands, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.WWID-94E7C5.

Mainly triangular-headed and leaf-shaped tanged types. 168 grams total, 3.9-10.3 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.