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LOT 1191
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Group
1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
5 3/8 - 5 3/4 in. (83 grams total, 13.5-14.5 cm).
Three tanged arrowheads with broadly leaf-shaped heads with shallow barbs, each with a raised midrib to both faces. [3, No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx private collection, 1980s.
Acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s.
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AUCTIONS:
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Viking Socketted Spearhead
10th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
The leaf-shaped head with full-length midrib to both faces, tapering round-section socket with piercing for attachment to an organic shaft. 70 grams, 22 cm
Ex Surrey collection, formed 1990-2000. Acquired from TimeLine Auctions 2016, lot 162 (part). The Kusmirek Collection, UK. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Pear-shaped ceramic vessel with domed filler-hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 640 grams, 13.5 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. 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. -
Luristan Bronze Hilted Dirk
Circa 1000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
The blade with a tapering profile, triangular in overall form, with square shoulders, penannular guard with strong midrib, flanged hilt with straight grip, widening slightly into a fan-shaped pommel. 363 grams, 47.5 cm
Acquired from Alan Cherry, Bournemouth, UK. Ex Alexander Cotton collection, Hampshire, UK 1980s.
These types of short sword or dirks were usually cast in one piece, and the penannular rib in relief was cast on at the same time with the handle of the blade. In some cases, however, the penannular rib was later cast on the dagger, possibly to strengthen a weak point at the junction of hilt and blade. The flanged hilt was originally filled with organic material like bone.
