Scythian Iron Axehead

Each a curved steel blade with two fullers, stamped ornament; waisted bronze grip with applied bone panels, tendril ornament; cast scabbard with suspension rings, advancing warrior with scimitar to each face. 425 grams total, 23.2-23.7 cm



Acquired during the 1960s. From an old North London oriental and ethnographical collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.

Piriform in profile with domed mouth and impressed motifs to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 400 grams, 10.5 cm



From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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 three variously sized rings, one with floral decoration. 17.4 grams total, 28-30 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.