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LOT 1404
Medieval Pierced Incendiary Fire Arrowhead
CIRCA 12TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
7 in. (81 grams, 18.1 cm).
With bell-shaped profile and holes to the trailing edge, baluster to the neck, square-section tang. [No Reserve]
ProvenancePrivate Buckingham, UK, collection, formed before 2000.
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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Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
With triangular blade and a square sectioned mid-rib ‘antenna’ guard with tubular grip and spiral ‘ears’. 240 grams, 34 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Western Asiatic White-Veined Red Marble Mace Head
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
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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.