Loading, please wait...
LOT 1380
Luristan Horse Bit with Animals
EARLY 1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
7 1/4 in. (475 grams, 18.5 cm).
Comprising a pair of gryphon-shaped cheek-pieces with a hole through the body for the straight mouthpiece with looped terminals. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceUK private collection before 2000.
UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.
Cf. similar horse bits in Moorey, P.R.S., Ancient Bronzes from Luristan, London, 1974, pls.VI-VII.
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.
-
Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
With triangular-section narrow blade widening to a broad bevelled edge and square chin, flared socket. 221 grams, 11.1 cm
From the collection of a Californian, USA, gentleman, dating back to the late 1960s.
The more commonly used weapons of the Finno-Ugrian people were axes, commonly found in all Finnic areas, as well as spears. Iron axeheads of this typology show a sub-trapezoidal asymmetrical blade, often perforated through the centre. -
100 Civil War Period Lead Musket Balls
Circa 17th-18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Mixed group of lead-alloy musket and carbine balls, some with casting seam and sprue nipple. 1.71 kg total, 9-19 mm
Found Hertfordshire, UK. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
10th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Piriform body decorated with concentric circles, with sphero-conical filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 472 grams, 13 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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.