Luristan Bronze Pickaxe with Crouching Dog

Comprising a thin triangular two-edged blade in a carved wooden hilt with integral crossguard and pommel with a conical button; wooden sheath with leather covering, two braided leather thongs each forming a thick suspension loop and similar binding forming a chape. 172 grams, 26.2 cm



From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s.

Bulbous body with rounded base and domed filler hole, an impressed circumferential band on the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 370 grams, 93 mm



Ex important collection of weaponry, London, UK, 1980-1990s. 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.

The body of the axe resembling a stork's head with incised lines on the sides, a tubular socket with a collared dog reclining on the top and perforations on the sides. 373 grams total, 15.2 cm high including stand



European private collection, 1990s. Ex John Lawton private collection, Surrey, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a previous illustrated catalogue page, including provenance.