Loading, please wait...
LOT 1437
Luristan Bronze Short Sword
2ND-1ST MILLENNIUM B.C. AND LATER
21 3/8 in. (878 grams, 54.2 cm).
With tapering, double-edged triangular blade and central midrib; crescent-shaped, tri-lobed guard at the shoulder; restored decorated cylindrical hilt with domed stone pommel. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a North West London collection; previously acquired in the 1980s.
LiteratureSee Khorasani, M.M., Arms and Armour from Iran. The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period, Tübingen, 2006.
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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Greek Lead Slingshot
3rd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Biconical in profile with casting seam and reserved legend 'ΦIΛONOC = of Philon (name)'; scorpion on the other side. 32.8 grams, 30 mm
Acquired on the German art market before 2000. Private collection, Munich, Germany.
On these sling bullets the image of a scorpion could be understood to depict an action ‘sting like a scorpion’. The name of Filon can be connected with a military commander. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Ovoid in profile with pointillé and linear decoration, domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 389 grams, 98 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'.
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 Bronze Flail Head with Four Heads
14th-15th century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Formed as four radiating D-shaped masks beneath a rosette, substantial suspension loop. 114 grams, 60 mm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
