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LOT 1398
Mesopotamian Bronze Arrowhead Collection
CIRCA 1800-900 B.C.
1 3/4 - 3 1/2 in. (330 grams total, 44-90 mm).
Including leaf-shaped, barbed, and other small types. [35]
ProvenanceEx London, UK, collection, 1990s.
LiteratureSee Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, pp.289ff, for similar.
FootnotesPaddle-shaped arrowheads with a flat, comparatively wide mid-rib and the blade shaped to a point were typical of Old Babylonian Empire. The shoulders were pronounced and the arrowhead had a rectangular section tapering tang.
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
A ceramic missile, piriform in profile with band of impressed rings to the equator and larger ring-and-dot motifs beneath, domed filler-hole above, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 829 grams, 14.6 cm
From a military inspired collection formed from the 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. -
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Comprising four socketted arrowheads, mainly triangular or foliate in section, trilobate and with short socket, one with holes for the application of incendiary material; two with barbs. 25 grams total, 33-38 mm
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
In Greek warfare archery was mainly employed by Scythians and Cretans for longer-ranks. Both used composite bows made of wood, horn, bone and sinew. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Collection
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
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Ex London collection, formed 1990-2000.
