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LOT 1128
Viking Iron Danish Type Broad Axehead
9TH-10TH CENTURY A.D.
6 in. (334 grams, 15.5 cm).
Featuring flanges to the socket, a rectangular butt and cheeks with shorter upper and longer lower edges.
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
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AUCTIONS:
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Urartu Bronze Mace or Sceptre Head
9th-8th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
With cylindrical head and narrow flanged base, the head divided in four petals. 490 grams, 60 mm
Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance.
Assyrian and Urartian officers are identified by their weapons in the reliefs. It is not so easy to definitely identify cavalry officers on the palace reliefs of the Assyrian kings, but their identification is based mainly on the context they appear in, and on some insignia (mace, sceptre) they carry with them. Hence, the mace was not only a practical weapon, but also a command insignia. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, raised vertical flanges to the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 500 grams, 12 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'.
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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form. -
Post Medieval Bronze Helmet Plume Holder Group
19th-20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Comprising six various types, together with various fittings; a number of holders decorated with banding. 270 grams total, 22-58 mm
Found Berkshire, UK.