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LOT 1444
Viking Age Bronze Horse Harness Pendant Set
9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
3/4 - 1 5/8 in. (57 grams total, 20-41 mm).
Mainly comprising square bronze appliqué panels with four piercings, loop to one edge and ovoid dangle. [21, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the European art market since the early 2000s.
From the private Northern Ireland collection of R.M.
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AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Piriform missile with domed filler-hole, tongue-shaped petals radiating from the filler-hole, each with an annulet and a ring-and-dot motif, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 448 grams, 10.7 cm
From a specialist London, UK, arms and armour 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. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form. -
Eurasian Tinned Bronze Sword Chape
12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Modelled as an openwork duck perching with wings folded and bill open; integral feather and other detailing; broken. 110 grams total, 84-89 mm
UK gallery, early 2000s. -
Viking Age and Later Axehead Group
Circa 10th-18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Comprising socketted axeheads of various types; some possibly stamped with maker's marks. 7 kg total, 16-24.5 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
An 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