Medieval Iron Cheek Guards and Chamfron Group

With lateral seams, attachment holes to lower edge, bowl with tall conical peak; mounted on a custom-made stand. 3.5 kg total, 55.5 cm high including stand



Acquired on the UK art market. From a private collection, 1980s. Ex central London gallery. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11765-203977.

From the reign of King Tiglatpilesar III (744-727 B.C.) or possibly later. The army of the Neo-Assyrian Empire consisted of large units of cavalry and skilled archers. Mobile workshops and smiths produced vast quantities of arrows and spears that were required while on campaign. The royal palaces of Nineveh, Ashur, and Nimrud were adorned with reliefs depicting Neo-Assyrian troops including foot soldiers in similar pointed bronze helmets. The helmet was originally bimetallic, made of bronze and iron. Although the iron section is now preserved only in fragments, having deteriorated long ago; the bronze half remains.

Irregular pear-shaped ceramic vessel with domed filler-hole, impressed rings and vertical bars to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 980 grams, 15 cm



Ex London, UK, 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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.

Comprising a long tapering blade, rectangular-section hilt with raised circular bosses, horned crescent-shaped guard curved to accept the blade and a large bifurcated pommel formed as two ear-lobes with ribbed joining shank. 1.17 kg, 66 cm



Acquired in the early-1990s. Ex Guernsey collection. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.

This kind of sword was entirely made of cast bronze. They were characterised by an 'ear' pommel and raised mid-rib on the blade, square shoulders and rectangular, open guard. The handle was cast on the blade. The square and solid sectioned handle has bossed with reinforcements which allow a better grip.