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LOT 1428
Viking Age Narrow Iron Axehead
CIRCA 9TH-11TH CENTURY A.D.
5 in. (229 grams, 12.6 cm).
With triangular-section long blade extending to a socket with small lateral flanges and rectangular extension to the rear.
ProvenanceProperty of London businessman, from his grandfather's collection after WW2; thence by family descent.
From the private collection of John Lawton, Surrey, UK.
Accompanied by a copy of a previous catalogue information page.
Cf. Sedov, B.B., Finno-Ugri i Balti v Epokhi Srednevekovija, Moscow, 1987, pl.V, item 23.
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AUCTIONS:
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Luristan Bronze 'Pineapple' Macehead
13th-7th century B.C.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Of Sara Gorz type with cylindrical shaft extended over the top, rounded knobs around the swollen head, flanked by horizontal grooved bands. 272 grams, 12.5 cm high
Fine condition.
Acquired mid 1980s to early 1990s. Private family collection formed in London, UK. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
With broad shoulder, short neck, domed square-shaped lip and conical base, broad medial band, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 472 grams, 10.7 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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'.
The effectiveness of these grenades was much lower than the fire liquid thrown by the siphons. They were thrown by hand as it is evident by the presence of some sort of handle on the body of some of them to better allow the grip of the object (Raimondo, 2000 Plate 11a; fig. 4, c-d). Nothing excludes that they were also launched at more long distance with catapults or other war engines. The presence of a fuse for triggering the explosion is evidenced by the narrow mouth of the largest part of the grenades. -
Medieval Iron Prick Spur
Circa 12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
With abruptly curved arms ending in two loops, the prick with biconvex bulb. 73 grams, 13 cm
Ex B Posey collection, 1990s. Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridgeshire, UK. Accompanied by a dealer's catalogue information card.
