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LOT 1381
Mesopotamian Mottled Cream Stone Macehead
3RD-2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
3 1/4 in. (416 grams, 81 mm).
With plain globular body, wide tubular shaft.
ProvenanceEx 1990s collection and with a central London gallery.
LiteratureSee Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003, pl.XXX, no.47.
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AUCTIONS:
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Greek Lead Slingshot
3rd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Biconical in profile with casting seam and reserved legend 'ΑΛ[EXANΔΡΟ]Υ.', the club of Herakles on the other side. 29.4 grams, 30 mm
Acquired on the German art market before 2000. Private collection, Munich, Germany.
The presence of the club of Hercules connects the slingshot with ruling dynasty of Macedonia. Similar slingshots were found in Miletos. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Sword Blade
Mid 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Two-edged leaf-shaped blade with short rectangular tang, corrugated midrib extending almost to the tip and flared at the shoulders. 384 grams, 38.7 cm
From a London collection, early 2000s. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Ovoid in profile with pointillé and linear decoration, domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 389 grams, 98 mm
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'.
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.
