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LOT 1128
Post Medieval Iron Socketted Spearhead
18TH-19TH CENTURY A.D.
11 1/4 in. (158 grams, 28.5 cm).
Composed of a tapering tubular socket and short triangular blade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK art market before 1980.
Private British collection 1980.
Private collection of a Devonshire, UK, collector.
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Iron Age Celtic Sacrificed Sword and Axehead Group
2nd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Ritualistically bent in the middle of the blade; together with two socketted axeheads, one Roman, one Celtic. 1.25 kg total, 10-60 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection. -
Post Medieval Fencing Foil Pair
Circa 1900 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Each with a long and narrow blade, the longer of square section, the shorter rectangular, each fitted with traditional slender, straight hilt, guard and finger-ring. 657 grams total, 85-106 cm
Acquired from Czerny's Auctions, Italy, 2016, lot 280. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of Czerny's invoice and listing. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Pear-shaped ceramic vessel with domed filler-hole, circumferential impressed bands to the shoulder and equator; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 490 grams, 15 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, 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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.