Maasai Leaf-Shaped Iron Spear

With short tang for an organic hilt, the blade showing multiple grooves forming a pronounced mid-rib spanning roughly more than three-quarters of the blade; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 1.18 kg total, 45.5 cm (49 cm including stand)



Ex P.A., Hertfordshire, UK, specialist collection of Greek art, 1980-1990s.

Luristan was hardly an ethnic or political entity, but the people of Luri had relations through warfare and traded with Sumerians, Lullubi, Assyrians, Babylonians and Elamites over a long period of time, spanning from the 3rd to the 2nd millennium B.C. The ruling elites of warrior horsemen were buried with their weapons and horses.

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.

Mixed group of lead-alloy musket and carbine balls,some with casting seam and sprue nipple. 1.57 kg total, 9-19 mm



Found Hertfordshire, UK.