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LOT 1487
Western Asiatic Bronze Blade Collection
EARLY 1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
6 7/8 - 8 7/8 in. (528 grams total, 17.5-22.6 cm).
Including four with tapering blades with broad flattened mid-ribs and rounded shoulders, tapered squared section tangs, two with tang pierced at tip; a similar blade with the tang bent at the tip; one spearhead with foliate blade and raised mid-rib; a short dagger with leaf-shaped blade and long rectangular-section tang. [7]
ProvenanceEx London collection, formed 1990-2000.
LiteratureCf. Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 1, London, 2002, items 31, p.34, for similar blades.
FootnotesMoorey, Gordon and Khorasani created a classification of bladed weapons, according to which daggers are edged weapons no greater than 36cm in length, dirks (short swords) are between 36cm and 50cm in length, and swords are edged weapons greater than 50cm in length.
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AUCTIONS:
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Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
A hollow vessel with cylindrical body, carinated shoulder, short neck and domed mouth, bands of impressed herringbone patterns to the shoulder and waist, piriform lower body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 619 grams, 16.5 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards.
This was a type of ceramic fire grenade, similar to the ones used by the Eastern Romans but of Turco-Mongol type. Apart from the use of manual flame-throwers, special corps of soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. -
Saxon to Medieval Iron Spearhead Collection
7th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
Comprising socketted spearheads or javelin heads with small lanceolate and lozenge-shaped heads, lentoid in section; one with a split socket and fastening rivet, another with the fastening hole for the shaft still in situ. 286 grams total, 14.5-19.5 cm
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
The distinction between the early medieval lance and spear is difficult, However the lance (or the javelin), normally employed by mounted warriors, had a small slender and stouter blade, and a short wider socket. Both the spear and javelins could be used as throwing weapons by the 14th-15th century light cavalry, like the Spanish Jinetes. -
Medieval Iron Caltrop Anti-Cavalry Group
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Comprising ten anti-cavalry caltrops, hand-forged with square-section spikes. 536 grams total, 72-98 mm
From the private collection of a London gentleman, from his grandfather's collection formed before the early 1970s.
Caltrops were scattered on battlefields in an effort to stop or slow advancing enemy cavalry or foot soldiers; regardless of how a caltrop lands, one spike is always facing upwards.
