Mongol Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade

Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the upper body decorated with vertical rows of pellets separated by deep grooves; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 444 grams, 10.2 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.

Comprising: a Roman ballista bolt with a pyramidal head; a 15th century iron swallowtail arrowhead; three iron medieval crossbow bolts, with pyramidal point, square-section shaft, tubular socket; two medieval ballista bolts with pyramidal point, square-section shaft, tubular socket; two triangular-shaped arrowheads, with pyramidal head; a triangular Eastern Roman bladed arrowhead with a slightly raised mid-rib; a small Anglo-Saxon arrowhead with lozenge form blade and round socket; all mounted on reconstructed modern shafts with their feathered directional lugs, and presented in a wooden display box. 3.83 kg total, 104 x 22 x 9.5 cm including case



From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.

Crossbow and bows were the protagonist of the 100 Years War between France and England. The crossbow, a bow fixed at its centre to a wooden stock, was a formidable weapon used by the Genoese crossbowmen, mainly in French service; its heavy bolt could easily penetrate a shield or armour breast plate at close range. The longbow, mainly used by the Welsh archers, was able to pierce armours at greater distance. During the reign of Edward III, the long bow distance was estimated to be 400 yards. The capability of the English and Welsh archers enabled the English to secure a victory over the powerful French Cavalry at the battles of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt.

With central shaft hole and blade set at right angle. 1.22 kg, 24.5 cm



From a 1990s German collection. Ex London, UK, gallery.

The adze-axe was a fundamental axe of many Bronze Age cultures of the world. Its form was one that lends itself to dual purposes - for war and peace. As a tool, it was used to shape wood in fabricating a variety of objects or even wooden beams for construction. As a weapon, its heavy mass and compact form make it a very deadly striking and chopping weapon, even able to defeat light armour.