Mesopotamian 'Chrysler Museum' Bronze Macehead with Incised Decoration

Comprising an onion-shaped terminal developing to a flared socket; incised circumferential line detailing. 139 grams, 54 mm



Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Cumbria, South Lakeland, UK in 2023. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.LANCUM-DFEA18. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Comprising: four large tanged arrowheads, mainly of triangular type with mid-rib; six triangular, leaf-shaped, barbed, and paddle-shaped arrowheads with a flat, comparatively wide mid-rib; one small triangular arrowhead with rounded shoulders; two arrowheads with wings, resembling a stylised flying bird; one foliate with herringbone decoration on the midrib; a triangular type with flat mid-rib and raised corners; two small paddle-shaped arrowheads with flat mid-rib; an Achaemenid trilobate socketted arrowhead. 253 grams total, 3.7-15 cm



From the London art market, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The most interesting specimen is the foliate blade with herringbone decoration on the mid-rib. Two examples with similar decoration are published by Muscarella, that according to the publications of Ghirsman are typical of North-West Iranian Plateau.

Rounded body with tiered neck and domed mouth, body decorated with tightly arranged teardrop-shaped motifs with large rosettes on the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 757 grams, 14.1 cm



From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

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.