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LOT 1874
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Collection
2ND-1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
3 1/8 - 7 3/8 in. (238 grams total, 8.1-18.7 cm).
Comprising leaf-shaped and triangular tanged arrowheads, most with a raised midrib. [10]
ProvenanceLondon, UK, collection, 1990s.
LiteratureCf. Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, pp.289ff, for similar arrowheads; Mahboubian, H., Art of the Ancient Iran, London, 1997, no.390, for some similar arrowheads.
FootnotesAll these bronze typologies of arrowheads were cast in moulds. Similar specimens have been found in Northwest and West Iran, Azerbaijan, Luristan and Amlash. Most of these blades are bipartite, but the definition of the bipartite type is not absolute, as it brings together weapons of very different and unrelated designs. In fact, some weapons do not have a sufficiently characteristic shape to be interpreted as a javelin or long arrowhead.
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Luristan Bronze Socketted Axehead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
With a short socketted shaft and flange to the mouth, broadening blade towards the cutting edge. 367 grams, 12 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Ovoid in profile with domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 370 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'.
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. -
Luristan Bronze Short Sword with Crescent-Shaped Pommel
10th century B.C.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £250
Comprising a triangular blade with integral ribbed handle and a crescentic pommel. 450 grams, 40 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
These kinds of bronze daggers or dirks, typical of Marlik culture, were cast in a one piece mould according to Negahban, although in some specimens the guard was later cast into the blade. The separate sets of encircling ribs on the grips are again typical of swords from the Marlik area. In our specimen the grip is opened on one side to receive organic filling.
