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LOT 1801
Luristan Bronze Socketted Adze
2ND-1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
6 7/8 in. (402 grams, 17.6 cm).
Short tubular socket with raised ribs, perpendicular rectangular-section blade with convex cutting edge.
ProvenanceEx Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
LiteratureCf. Calmeyer, P., Datierbare Bronzen aus Luristan und Kirmanshah II. Datierbare Gruppen (chronologisch geordnet), De Gruyter, 1969, fig.6, p.10, group 2, type A3 a, of the Calmeyer classification.
FootnotesUnadorned weapons, especially axes, adzes, and picks, were made by Luristan craftsmen using simple clay or stone bivalve moulds, into which a core was inserted to form the socket for the shaft. Typically, the metallic composition consisted of a combination of arsenical bronze and copper, together with a small percentage of lead.
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Western Asiatic Bronze Socketted Axehead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
With flat blade a curved cutting edge, hammered round-section tubular socket. 112 grams, 10.8 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Collection
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Comprising leaf-shaped and triangular tanged arrowheads, most with a raised midrib. 238 grams total, 8.1-18.7 cm
London, UK, collection, 1990s.
All these bronze typologies of arrowheads were cast in moulds. Similar specimens have been found in Northwest and West Iran, Azerbaijan, Luristan and Amlash. Most of these blades are bipartite, but the definition of the bipartite type is not absolute, as it brings together weapons of very different and unrelated designs. In fact, some weapons do not have a sufficiently characteristic shape to be interpreted as a javelin or long arrowhead. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Large ovoid body with impressed decoration and raised shoulder on one side; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 970 grams, 16 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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.
