Luristan Bronze Short Sword

Cylindrical body with pointed tip, two vertical lugs on the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 513 grams, 14.5 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.

Belonging to a dagger and its scabbard, comprising: a tubular pommel cap with filigree ropework, repoussé floral motifs; an elliptical-section scabbard throat with billetted border, reeded edges and floral motif; a triangular chape with reeded strip to the mouth. 27 grams total, 29-64 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

Biconical in profile with casting seam and reserved legend 'ΛY-P-N' = maybe ΛYKOΦ-PONO = Lykophronos (name). 25.6 grams, 31 mm



Acquired on the German art market before 2000. Private collection, Munich, Germany.

The leaden bullets, which were thrown from slings, were called in Greek molivdainai (μολύβδαιναι), and in Latin glandes; the former indicating the material ‘lead’, the latter the shape ‘acorns’. These bullets were cast in a mould and bore letters or devices, or both, on two sides or on only one. In form they were more like an almond than an acorn, but many are pointed at both ends.