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LOT 0254
Sasanian Silver-Plated Lion Shield Boss
6TH-7TH CENTURY A.D. OR EARLIER
3 in. (80.9 grams, 78 mm).
With stylised repoussé head and face detailing showing two faces, one to the side and the other to the top, the mane represented by a scalloped border; sheet-silver cladding to the head over bronze; pierced for attachment.
ProvenanceEx London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s.
London, UK, collection.
Cf. similar in the British Museum under accession number 134358; cf. Grabar, O., Sasanian Silver: Late Antique and Early Mediaeval Arts of Luxury From Iran, Michigan, 1967, p.129, no.46, for type.
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LOT 0254
Sasanian Silver-Plated Lion Shield Boss
Estimate £800 - 1,000€930 - 1,160 (for guidance only)$1,080 - 1,350 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£400 (EUR 464; USD 540) +BP*
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Greek and Other Bronze Arrowhead Group
4th century B.C. and laterEstimate: £60 - 80 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
Comprising three arrowheads, one socketted with a lateral spur, one barbed and tanged, and the third a flat-section barbed and tanged type. 20 grams total, 39-67 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Civil War Period Iron Musket Ball Scissor Mould
Circa 17th century A.D.Estimate: £40 - 60 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Two-part mould with pivoting handles, pouring hole to upper face. 55.8 grams, 12.5 cm
From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Ovoid body with pointed base and domed filler-hole, two circumferential bands above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 685 grams, 16 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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.
