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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.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1532
Western Asiatic Bronze Macehead
Estimate £180 - 240€210 - 280 (for guidance only)$240 - 320 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£90 (EUR 104; USD 122) +BP*
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
Large bulbous body with a domed filler-hole and two circumferential bands above the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 715 grams, 12.3 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. -
Viking Age Iron Bearded Axehead
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Bids: 2 | Current Bid: £20
Broad blade with thickened edge, rounded socket with lateral triangular extensions. 269 grams, 13.5 cm
Ex North American collection, 1970s. -
Celtic Iron Close-Socketted Long Axehead
Late Hallstatt-Early La Tene Period, circa 450 B.C.Estimate: £40 - 60 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
Slender axe with rectangular-section socket. 160 grams, 10.2 cm
Ex M. Spiegelberg collection, since 1989-1992; thence by descent. Accompanied by a copy of a previous yellow cataloguing slip.