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LOT 1137
Medieval Iron Crossbow Bolt Group
CIRCA 12TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/4 - 4 5/8 in. (682 grams total, 4.6-11.7 cm).
Mainly comprising socketted bolts with tapering and facetted square-section tips. [20]
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
Cf. Michalak, A., Arma confinii, przemiany późnośredniowiecznej broni na rubieżach Śląska, Wielkopolski, Branderburgii i Łużyc (Arma confinii, transformations of late medieval weapons on the borders of Silesia, Wielkopolska, Brandenburg and Lusatia, in Polish), Zielona Gora, 2019, pls.92-128, for similar projectiles.
FootnotesIn medieval warfare crossbows were of great importance, used especially by infantry. An improvement of their effectiveness by inceasing the weight of projectiles as well the strength of the bow caused a clear evolution of body defences between 13th and 15th centuries A.D.
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Luristan Bronze Handled Dagger
Circa 1000 B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Having a narrow triangular blade with gentle midrib and narrow point, scooped shoulders, long flat-section tang with lobe finial. 123 grams, 35 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The type of the present dirk or dagger corresponds to type IX of Medvedskaya classification. The type consists of a bronze blade with organic handle, possibly made of bone or wood, and a long tang, which was usually bent at the extremity. According to Moorey, the exact dating of these pieces is uncertain. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Circa 11th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
With a piriform body and domed mouth, stepped rings to the foot, engraved decoration on the shoulders with crosses and grapes; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 573 grams, 15 cm
Acquired 1990s. From the H.N. collection, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, UK. 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 Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also in 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. -
North-West Persian Bronze Dagger
Early 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
With long tapered blade, rounded shoulders and broad flattened mid-rib, tapered square sectioned tang pierced at the tip. 298 grams total, 29.2 cm high including stand
Dr. T.J. Arne, Sweden, 1934. Private collection, Sweden, late 1930s. with Stockholm Auktionsverk, Stockholm, Sweden, 9 June 2014, lot 2613.
This tanged bronze blade from Luristan belongs to a category of Luristan swords still in use in the Achaemenid Period, as proved from a blade with a perished handle (probably bone or wood) of the same type, in the National Museum of Iran (2694/15633). Examples without inscriptions like our model have been classified by Grotkamp-Schepers in the Solingen Museum as pieces from Luristan.
