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LOT 1476
Luristan Bronze Spearhead
800-600 B.C.
13 5/8 in. (166 grams, 34.7 cm).
Socketted with slight horizontal cast-in grooves on the shaft, foliate head with strong mid-rib, fastening hole on the socket.
ProvenanceEx Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
LiteratureCf. Mahboubian, H., Art of the Ancient Iran, London, 1997, no.398a, for similar.
FootnotesThese kinds of spearheads were realised by casting in a mould. They were of different lengths and used by Luristan, Hamadan, early Median and Achaemenid warriors.
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Luristan Bronze Dirk
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
With a parallel-sided blade curving to a point, with a broad mid-rib, and a rectangular-section tang. 275 grams, 37 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
MacGregor dated such blades to the Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age. Moorey, Gordon and Khorasani created a classification of bladed weapons, according to which daggers are edged weapons no greater than 36cm in length, dirks (short swords) are between 36cm and 50cm in length, and swords are edged weapons greater than 50cm in length. -
Viking T-Bar Iron Axehead
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
With broad edge, slender neck, round flared socket with lateral wings to each face and extension on the rear. 388 grams, 15 cm
Ex North American private collection, 1970s. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Piriform in profile with a rounded base, and two circumferential bands on the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 465 grams, 13.7 cm
From a specialist collection, London, UK, 1990-2000s. 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.
