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LOT 1364
Viking Age and Later Iron Axehead Group
10TH-18TH CENTURY A.D.
5 3/4 - 11 1/8 in. (9.5 kg total, 14.5-28.5 cm).
Mainly comprising socketted axeheads and adzes, together with other items; including at least one stamped with maker's marks. [10, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
Cf. Roesdahl, E., Wilson, D.M., From Viking to Crusader: The Scandinavians and Europe 800 to 1200 (22nd Council of Europe Exhibition), Copenhagen, 1992, p.321, fig.359(4), for a similar Viking axe/tool.
FootnotesAn axe similar to those of our group was found in the fortified camp of Péran, in Brittany, among the objects that emerged from a conflagration due to the attack of Alain Barbetorte's Bretons on a Viking camp, in 936 A.D. These axes were certainly work tools, although in case of necessity they could also serve as improvised weapons.
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
A ceramic missile, piriform in profile with lattice pattern to the shoulder, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 722 grams, 14.2 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. -
Luristan Copper Flat Axe
13th-6th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Formed with a rounded butt and flared cutting edge; flat in cross-section. 113 grams, 16.9 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
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.
