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LOT 1535
Medieval Bronze Flail Head with Four Heads
14TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
2 3/8 in. (114 grams, 60 mm).
Formed as four radiating D-shaped masks beneath a rosette, substantial suspension loop.
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
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:
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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 Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Ovoid in profile with a rounded base, a circumferential band around the neck; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 650 grams, 11.8 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. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Blade
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Two-edged leaf-shaped dagger blade with flat rectangular tang, flared at the shoulders. 133 grams, 25.2 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
This was one of the earliest forms of Western Asiatic daggers, but until the blade was strengthened by thickening or by having a midrib at the centre, and rivets were introduced, it must have often buckled up on impact. However, when compared to the earliest Egyptian types with its short triangular blade, this Asiatic dagger is longer, narrower, and probably more useful as an offensive weapon.
