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LOT 1466
Luristan Bronze Spike-Butted Axehead
11TH-8TH CENTURY B.C.
8 7/8 in. (478 grams, 22.5 cm).
Blade with folded upper and lower edge, cylindrical socket with projecting ribs formed as the necks and heads of birds, blace 'projecting' from the mouth of a roaring lion at the neck.
ProvenanceEx Parisian private collection.
with Cuvreau Expertises Enchères S.A., sale 60, 21 June 2009, lot 105.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11876-206787.
Cf. The British Museum, museum number 130676 for similar; cf. The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession numbers 32.161.3 and 1988.102.2, for similar.
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LOT 1466
Luristan Bronze Spike-Butted Axehead
Estimate £3,000 - 4,000€3,480 - 4,640 (for guidance only)$4,050 - 5,400 (for guidance only)
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Iron Age Celtic Iron Axe and Spearhead Displays
Circa 2nd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Comprising a spearhead with leaf-shaped blade and raised triangular mid-rib, short tapering open socket with inside wood remains, and a forged axe with folded rectangular-section open socket and flared crescent-edge blade. 791 grams total, 11.2-22.5 cm
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
The Celtic warrior used a light javelin to throw and a heavier thrusting spear at close quarters. An iron spearhead of identical shape but with bronze decoration was recovered from the Thames and dated to the late Iron Age. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
A small ceramic missile with domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 207 grams, 86 mm
From a military inspired collection formed from the 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. -
Large Luristan Bronze Adze-Axehead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
With central shaft hole and blade set at right angle. 1.22 kg, 24.5 cm
From a 1990s German collection. Ex London, UK, gallery.
The adze-axe was a fundamental axe of many Bronze Age cultures of the world. Its form was one that lends itself to dual purposes - for war and peace. As a tool, it was used to shape wood in fabricating a variety of objects or even wooden beams for construction. As a weapon, its heavy mass and compact form make it a very deadly striking and chopping weapon, even able to defeat light armour.
