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LOT 1394
Western Asiatic Bronze Blade
CIRCA 1000 B.C.
10 1/2 in. (170 grams, 26.5 cm).
Tapering with rounded shoulders and flattened mid-ribs, tapered square sectioned tang pierced at the tip. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
See a similar dagger in Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 1, London, 2002, item 31, p.34.
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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Post Medieval Iron Dagger with Gilt Bronze and Bone Hilt
17th-18th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £494
Stiletto-type with slender two-edged blade, central fuller, dished bolster, gilt S-curved quillons, bone grip and pommel-cap with knop finial. 138 grams, 42.5 cm
Acquired on the UK art market circa 2005. From an old North Country, UK, collection. -
Luristan Bronze Blade
1200-1100 B.C.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £130
With a long pointed triangular blade and a short tang, two rivet holes at the base of the blade. 193 grams, 36.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The Luri people produced a quantity of fine metalwork, which according to Dr. Khorasani, could be due to a settled period which arose as a result of the defeat of the Elamites by the Babylonians, leaving the Luristani people in relative peace for a period of time after 1200 BC. According to Khorasani 'A culture of innovation and experimentation flourished, and the repertoire of the Luristan smiths expanded in the period between 1150–1050 BC.' -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Piriform in profile with domed mouth, circumferential band of impressed arcading to the shoulder. 380 grams, 11.5 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 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.
