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LOT 1526
Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger
1800-1600 B.C.
11 1/2 in. (174 grams, 29.2 cm).
The blade expanding towards the shoulders, a pierced rectangular-section tang.
ProvenanceEx Abelita family collection, 1990s.
LiteratureCf. for the type Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003, in Russian, see pl.IV, no.40, from Western Iran.
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LOT 1526
Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger
Estimate £200 - 300€230 - 350 (for guidance only)$270 - 410 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£100 (EUR 116; USD 135) +BP*
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Large Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger
1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
Slender blade with a wide midrib and a short rectangular-section tang. 267 grams, 34.7 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1990s. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
Piriform body with dome filler-hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 536 grams, 12.7 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. -
Roman Lead Cnaeus Pompey Battle of Munda Slingshot
Circa 46 B.C.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
Facetted lentoid-section sling shot (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). 71.2 grams, 51 mm
Previously from a private Spanish collection. Ex London, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by a copy of a Spanish export licence.
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 could be of different material: in lead (glandes) or in pottery or stone (lapides missiles). Sometimes they were signed with the name of the general, as is our specimen.
