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LOT 1367
Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger
2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
6 7/8 in. (128 grams total, 17.6 cm high including stand).
With a narrow pointed blade and wide raised flange down centre, straight sides, well marked shoulders with narrow tang, one hole for rivet.
ProvenanceFrom the possessions of a member of a German princely family, gathered in the late 19th century, until the 1930s.
with Auction House CUSP, Vienna, Auction Antique Art from Asia and from the Eastern Mediterranean, 16 June 2012, lot 75 [Part].
See Maxwell-Hyslop, R., 'Daggers and swords in Western Asia: a Study from Prehistoric Times to 600BC,' in Iraq, Volume 8, 1946, pp.1-65, pl.II, type 12.
FootnotesThe type was technically more advanced than previous types of blades in the Near East, owing to the shape of the weapon, with its slightly convex sides widening out near the point, which combined the advantages of the leaf-shaped and straight-sided forms.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1367
Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger
Estimate £100 - 140€120 - 160 (for guidance only)$140 - 190 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Piriform body with domed filler-hole, shoulders decorated with row of geometric patterns, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 484 grams, 11.8 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. -
Luristan Bronze Dagger
13th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Triangular blade with rib below the shoulder connected to the grip with lateral flanges and integral pommel, recessed to accept an organic insert 228 grams, 34 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1988. -
Roman 'Pompey the Great' Lead Slingshot
1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £663
Biconical lead slingshot (glans) with inscription in Latin letters 'CN' (Cneius) 'MAG' (Magnus) on one side, and 'IMP' for 'IMPERATOR' (victorious general) to the other side, i.e Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus Imperator (Pompey the Great the victorious general). 67.5 grams, 42 mm
From a Spanish collection. From the collection of an London antiquarian. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 4th May 2022 and titled 'Roman Res Publica - Lead Slingshots (glandes) of Caesarian Age - 45 B.C circa'. Accompanied by a printed copy of the Spanish cultural export licence 2022/07273.
The shot (Völling type 1C) is marked with the abbreviated name of Gnaeus Pompey; it was used in quantity at the Battle of Monda (or Munda) against Julius Caesar, 17th March 45 BC. The projectiles were made of different materials: lead (glandes) or in pottery or stone (lapides missiles). Sometimes they were signed with the name of the general, like our specimen.
