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LOT 1555
Viking Age Iron Broad Axehead with Hammerhead
CIRCA 9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/8 in. (518 grams, 15.6 cm).
With triangular section curved narrow blade, narrow neck, socket with triangular flanges, hammer extension to the rear. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx North American private collection, 1970s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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AUCTIONS:
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Greek Macedonian Lead Inscribed Slingshot Group
3rd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Each biconical in profile and lentoid in section with casting seam. 115 grams total, 33-36 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Lead sling bullet of this almond shape type were often decorated (like one of our specimens) with a winged thunderbolt on one side and on the other side with the inscription DEXAI "Catch!" in high relief. In the Hellenistic armies, the Rhodians were considered formidable slingers, and used as mercenaries by Hellenistic and Roman Consular armies. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Bulbous body with domed mouth, incised circumferential band on the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 392 grams, 10.4 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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. -
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Luristan Bronze Blade
12th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
With lentoid-section blade, tongue-shaped in plan, with integral tapering hilt with flared finial, lateral flanges to accept an organic panel forming the grip. 245 grams, 41 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The art of Luristan can be described as the art of nomadic herdsmen and horsemen with an emphasis on the crafting of small, easily portable objects, among these a great number of bronze weapons. The rich and noble aristocrats of the Luristan, Elamites, Hurrians, Lullubians, Kutians, and Kassites, went to battle splendidly equipped and wore magnificent bronze armour, using maces, spears and daggers as offensive weapons, alongside spears, bows and arrows.
