Medieval Bronze Dagger Quillon with Scallop Shell

Comprising ten slender tanged arrowheads, javelin heads and daggers, some lozenge-section and some with raised midribs. 329 grams total, 14-21.5 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

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 spear, dagger, or long arrowhead. The javelin heads classified by Gernez as type Type L 3 are characterized by the simplicity of their design. They have a sharp and/or pointed active part, a flat, elliptical or rhomboidal cross-section and an elongated tang with a rectangular, square or circular section, ending in a pointed, widened, curved or folded blade.

Type N leaf-shaped slender blade, with flattened transition area between blade and socket, continuing far up onto the blade. 255 grams, 39 cm



Ex private collection of Mr M.B., Mainz, Germany, since the 1980s. Acquired from the above, 2004.

The spearheads of type N were a minor group in the Viking spearheads, found throughout the whole of the 10th century A.D. They make up circa 10% of the Viking Age spears.

Piriform body with domed filler-hole, raised horizontal flanges to the shoulders; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 409 grams, 11.7 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'.

This piece was a sort of ceramic fire grenade, similar to the ones used by the Eastern Romans but of Turco-Mongol type. Apart from the use of manual flame-throwers, special corps of soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations.