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LOT 1532
Western Asiatic Bronze Macehead
2ND-1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
5 1/4 in. (263 grams, 13.4 cm).
Comprising a cylindrical shaft with flared mouth, rounded flanges around the bulb, and horizontal stepped collars.
ProvenanceEx Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
LiteratureCf. Musée Cernuschi, Bronzes du Luristan: Enigmes De L'Iran Ancien IIIe-Ier millénaire ac. j.-c., Paris Musées, 2008, p.103, for type.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1532
Western Asiatic Bronze Macehead
Estimate £180 - 240€210 - 280 (for guidance only)$240 - 320 (for guidance only)
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Western Asiatic Bronze Spear Blade
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Comprising a tapering leaf-shaped blade with a raised midrib and a short tapering tang. 245 grams, 35 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s. -
Celtic Iron Open Socketted Splayed Axehead
Late Hallstatt-Early La Tene Period, circa 450 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Flaring blade with a rectangular-section folded socket. 155 grams, 84 mm
Ex M. Spiegelberg collection, since 1989-1992; thence by descent. Accompanied by a copy of a previous yellow cataloguing slip. -
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Piriform in profile with a stepped neck, incised decoration and three raised lugs; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 424 grams, 17 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.
