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LOT 1466
Viking Whetstone Blade Sharpener
8TH-12TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/2 in. (364 grams, 11.4 cm).
Triangular type with two flat faces, usage wear to edge. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound East Anglia, UK.
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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Viking Age Iron Curved T-Shaped Axehead
9th-12th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
With broad curved edge, slender neck, round flared socket with lateral wings to each face and round extension on the rear; professionally cleaned, conserved and restored. 482 grams, 17 cm
Very fine condition,
Ex property of a London businessman, from his grandfather's collection formed after World War II; thence by descent 1972. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
These axes are typical of Baltic workmanship. During this age, the axes were the favourite weapons of many Baltic people, including the Curonian army which 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 Dagger
13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Comprising a two-edged leaf-shaped lentoid-section blade, crescentic lower guard, ribbed hilt and domed finial. 93 grams, 20.1 cm
Acquired before 1983. Ex London gallery, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Ovoid in profile with pointillé and linear decoration; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 1.17 kg, 15.5 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.
