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LOT 1450
Saxon to Medieval Iron Spearhead Collection
7TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.
5 3/4 - 7 3/4 in. (286 grams total, 14.5-19.5 cm).
Comprising socketted spearheads or javelin heads with small lanceolate and lozenge-shaped heads, lentoid in section; one with a split socket and fastening rivet, another with the fastening hole for the shaft still in situ. [3, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
PublishedBailey, G., Detector Finds 5, Witham, 2002, p.61, fig.7 & 10, for two examples.
FootnotesThe distinction between the early medieval lance and spear is difficult, However the lance (or the javelin), normally employed by mounted warriors, had a small slender and stouter blade, and a short wider socket. Both the spear and javelins could be used as throwing weapons by the 14th-15th century light cavalry, like the Spanish Jinetes.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1450
Saxon to Medieval Iron Spearhead Collection
Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
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Roman Iron Plumbata
4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
The barbed head with tapering cylindrical stem and biconical lead weight; socket to the reverse. 95 grams, 13.4 cm
Ex B. Posey collection, UK, 1990s.
The lead-weighted darts known as plumbatae mamillatae (or 'breasted javelin') were short darts mounted upon a shaft of the same shape, and thrown from a short distance. A Roman soldier would typically carry around 5-6 of these darts at any one time, fastened to the back of his shield. They could be thrown overhand or underhand, with an effective throwing range of up to 60 metres by trained soldiers. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
A piriform ceramic missile with band of impressed roundels to the shoulder, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 367 grams, 12 cm
From a military inspired collection formed from the 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. -
Elamite Bronze Arrowhead Collection
Circa 1200-900 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Including triangular-section with long tang, barbed, elongated lanceolate with mid-rib and other types. 485 grams total, 12-17.5 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.
These arrowheads seem to belong to the type V, subcategory types A and C according to the classification of Khorasani and Negahban. In the four categories of triangular bronze arrowheads from Luristan, Marlik and Northern Iran individuated by Negahban, subtypes A and C of type V are larger arrow heads with barbed shoulders and triangular heads. The type was widely used in Elam between 13th and 10th century B.C.
