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LOT 1453
Medieval Iron Bearded Axehead
CIRCA 14TH-16TH CENTURY A.D. OR LATER
6 1/4 in. (899 grams, 15.7 cm).
With broad curved blade and square chin, narrow neck, deep socket with square-section hammer to the reverse. [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:
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Luristan Decorated Bronze Spearhead
13th-6th century B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £80
With broad leaf-shaped blade and tapering square-section tang, ribbed neck. 147 grams, 21.5 cm
From the private collection of Mr K.A., acquired in the 1990s-early 2000s. -
Iron Age Celtic Iron Axehead
Britain, circa 4th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
With lateral flanges curved inwards to form an open socket, long neck, broad flared blade. 278 grams, 11.5 cm
Found South East England. From the private collection of Kenneth Acquired Coincraft, London, UK. Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; with collection no.IA25; 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): £52
The missile with a rounded body flattened on four sides, the flat faces separated by two vertical lines with an annulet above and below, concentric circles surrounding the pointed base, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 660 grams, 11.8 cm
From a specialist London, UK, arms and armour collection, 1990s. 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.
