Loading, please wait...
LOT 1405
Medieval Decorated Iron Axe-Hammer
CIRCA 12TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
4 3/4 in. (305 grams, 11.9 cm).
With a broad curved blade, narrow neck and hammer extension to the rear; round socket; punched ornament to both cheeks of the blade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx North American collection, 1970s-1990s.
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.
-
Eurasian Tinned Bronze Sword Chape
12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Modelled as an openwork duck perching with wings folded and bill open; integral feather and other detailing; broken. 110 grams total, 84-89 mm
UK gallery, early 2000s. -
Framed Roman Iron Socketted Arrowhead
1st century B.C.-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
With leaf-shaped blade and narrow neck, flared tubular split socket; mounted in a glazed wooden frame with reveal and title panel. 963 grams, 33 x 24.1 cm
From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Piriform in profile with domed neck, impressed roundels to the foot. 755 grams, 15.5 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards. 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.
