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LOT 1381
Viking Age Bearded Iron Axehead
11TH-13TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/4 in. (698 grams, 15.5 cm).
With broad curved blade and pointed chin, broad neck, deep socket with lateral flanges. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a Californian, USA, gentleman, dating back to the late 1960s.
LiteratureCf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.CXXIV, item 10.
FootnotesDuring the mid 13th century, the axes were favourite weapons among Baltic people. For instance the Curonian army included lightly armed soldiers who fought with spears, shields, fighting knives and axes. A heavily armed soldier could also carry a sword, a helmet, a shield and a wide-bladed axe.
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Luristan Bronze Short Sword
Late 2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
With solid cast hilt with penannular guard and a horizontally ribbed grip; a conical stone mushroom pommel and a multi-fullered blade tapering to a sharp tip; handle repaired. 876 grams, 56 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
According to Moorey, such category of swords were distributed in the Northern Iran area, as proved by the Amarlu finds. Based on the example from the Ashmolean Museum, he dated them to the end of the 2nd millennium B.C., more precisely to a period between 1400-1200 B.C. -
North-West Persian Bronze Short Sword with Integral Grip and Horns
Circa 1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
With curved 'horns' projecting on either side at the top of waisted grip, blade with flat mid-rib. 242 grams, 41.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The Luristani people produced a quantity of fine metalwork, which according to Dr Khorasani, could be due to a settled period which arose as a result of the defeat of the Elamites by the Babylonians, leaving the Luristani people in relative peace for a period of time after 1200 B.C. According to Khorasani, 'A culture of innovation and experimentation flourished, and the repertoire of the Luristan smiths expanded in the period between 1150-1050 BC.' -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Piriform body with overlapping impressed roundels to the shoulder replicating scale armour, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 337 grams, 10.8 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 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.
