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LOT 1465
Scythian Bronze Arrowhead Collection
CIRCA 7TH-3RD CENTURY B.C.
1 3/8 - 2 3/8 in. (126 grams total, 35-62 mm).
Each with a slender, lozenge-shaped blade and a socket extending near the tip, base of the socket with a side lug. [20, No Reserve]
ProvenanceUK private collection before 2000.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.
Cf. Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003, in Russian, for similar arrowheads from Eurasian sites (plate XLIV, nos.19,31,32,36,37,38,39,51,71).
FootnotesIn the Greek warfare archery mainly employed Scythians and Cretans for the longer-ranks. Both used composite bows made of wood, horn, bone and sinew. This explains the great range of Scythian arrowheads also found on the Greek sites.
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AUCTIONS:
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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. -
Medieval Iron Spur with Rowel
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Iron Age Celtic Iron Spearhead Display
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Comprising two spearheads, each with a split socket and leaf-shaped blade, shallow midribs. 429 grams total, spearheads: 21-28.5 cm
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In the Celtic world the spear was the primary weapon and symbol of a warrior. The Greek historian Strabo comments that the Celts carried two types of spear: a larger, heavier one for thrusting; and a smaller, lighter javelin that could be both thrown and used at closed quarters.
