Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Group

With prominently curved guard extending out from the ricasso partly framing the hilt, thick midrib extending slightly above the ricasso. 385 grams, 44 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

The hilt of such swords was made separately and unfortunately is nearly always missing from the archaeological records. Similar daggers had a northern Iranian background and excavated examples have been recorded from the South Caspian area from Tomadjan and Ghalekuti. Their chronology ranges from the late 2nd millennium B.C. to the 7th century B.C.

With triangular-section long blade extending to a socket with small lateral flanges and rectangular extension to the rear. 229 grams, 12.6 cm



Property of London businessman, from his grandfather's collection after WW2; thence by family descent. From the private collection of John Lawton, Surrey, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a previous catalogue information page.

Biconvex body with impressed bands to the shoulder, domed filler-hole, gesso and painted surface, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 575 grams, 15.5 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. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.