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LOT 1793
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead or Javelin Head with Inscribed X
LATE 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
4 1/2 in. (15.17 grams, 11.34 cm).
Leaf-shaped with two cutting edges and a broad point, low midrib, on the face an incised 'X' in a square.
ProvenanceEx Guttman collection, Germany.
with Christie's, 28 April 2004, no.27 (part).
Acquired from Bidancient and Artifacts UK, 2009.
Ex important collection of Greek artefacts, London, UK.
Cf. Milik, J.T., Cross, F.M. and Cross, Jr., 'Inscribed Javelin-Heads from the Period of Judges: A Recent Discovery in Palestine' in Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, No. 134 (Apr., 1954), pp. 5-15, fig.1, for similar inscribed javelin or arrowheads.
FootnotesThe letter X has been found in various Semitic/Accadic or even Philistine Inscriptions in the Levant: dated between 13th-10th centuries B.C.: on the Lachish bowl no.1, on the Ruweiseh arrowhead, on a Byblian bronze spatula, on the Ahiram graffito, at Yehimilk. This suggests that the arrow or javelin head has been made in the Levant or the Fertile Crescent.
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LOT 1793
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead or Javelin Head with Inscribed X
Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
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Western Asiatic Bronze Axehead
Late 3rd-early 2nd millennium B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £111
With a short socketted shaft, the plain rectangular blade broadening towards the cutting edge; side holes on the shaft. 446 grams, 11.4 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
Unadorned weapons, especially axes, adzes, and picks, were made by Luristan craftsmen using simple clay or stone bivalve moulds, into which a core was inserted to form the socket for the shaft. Typically, the metallic composition consisted of a combination of arsenical bronze and copper, together with a small percentage of lead. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Ovoid in profile with impressed pellet decoration on the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 436 grams, 11 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 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. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια, where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Socketted Axehead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
With flat blade a curved cutting edge, hammered round-section tubular socket. 112 grams, 10.8 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
