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LOT 1026
Ummayad Bronze Spearhead
7TH-8TH CENTURY A.D.
13 3/8 in. (245 grams, 34 cm).
Formed with a broadly triangular blade, narrow neck and tapering round-section socket.
ProvenanceEx old English collection.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
Cf. Nicolle, D., The military technology of the Classical Islam, Edinburgh, 1982, volume I, fig.120.
FootnotesThe basic Arabic term for a spear or lance, whether used by cavalry or infantry, was rumh. In the 7th century it normally would have been ten or twelve cubits long, i.e. four and a half metres.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1026
Ummayad Bronze Spearhead
Estimate £300 - 400€350 - 460 (for guidance only)$410 - 540 (for guidance only)
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Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £80
Comprising arrowheads of various types, mainly including leaf-shaped and barbed types, with midribs. 257 grams total, 12-18 cm
Acquired 1990s. From the collection of a late Japanese weaponry collector. -
Khazar Gilt Sword Belt Buckle and Mount Group
9th-10th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Comprising four gilt copper-alloy sword belt fittings: a large buckle plate with ogival head and trefoil plate; a buckle with roughly D-shaped loop and shell-style plate, triangular-section tongue; a buckle composed of an oval head and roughly rectangular plate decorated with an X-motif and enigmatic forms in each quarter, articulate tongue; a C-section mount displaying raised floral vines. 67 grams total, 37-59 mm
Fine condition.
Acquired in the 1980s-1990s. Ex an important central London gallery, London W1.
These wonderful fittings show similarities with examples from the Caucasus and Kuban regions. They show parallels with specimens from the Verchne-Szaltovo area, for example a bronze buckle from the catacomb grave no.11. -
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.
