Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Collection

With a rectangular grooved tang with vertical lines running to the crescent pommel, the rhomboid ricasso extending over the blade, blade with raised ridge tapering to a point. 533 grams, 49 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.

With solid cast hilt with penannular guard and a horizontally ribbed grip; a massive star-shaped pommel and a multi-fullered blade tapering to a sharp tip; handle restored. 1.03 kg, 63.5 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

According to Moorey, such category of swords were distributed in the Northern Iran area, as proved by the Amarlu finds. Based on the example from the Ashmolean Museum, he dated them to the end of the 2nd millennium B.C., more precisely to a period between 1400-1200 B.C. The type was in use until the 7th century B.C.

Piriform body with domed filler-hole, the upper body with a cross-shaped herringbone motif radiating from the filler hole, the space in between the arms with ring-and-annulet motifs; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 431 grams, 10.5 cm



From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 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'.

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.