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LOT 1357
Western Asiatic Bronze Short Sword with Integral Hilt with Horns
LATE 2ND-1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
20 3/4 in. (466 grams, 53 cm).
A bronze dagger blade with prominently curved guard, which extends out from the ricasso of the blade and partly frames the hilt, thick flat midrib extending slightly above the ricasso where it held the hilt.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
See similar swords in Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, pp.99-100.
FootnotesThe hilt of such swords was made separately, and unfortunately is nearly always missing from the archaeological records. Similar daggers had a northern Iranian background and excavated examples have been recorded from the South Caspian Area from Tomadjan and Ghalekuti.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1357
Western Asiatic Bronze Short Sword with Integral Hilt with Horns
Estimate £200 - 300€230 - 350 (for guidance only)$270 - 410 (for guidance only)
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Mixed Iron Knife Collection
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Including a double-bladed haladie with hide sheaths, a narrow stiletto with brass-mounted scabbard and other types. 525 grams total, 22.2-37.5 cm
From the family collection of a Maida Vale lady, UK. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
A ceramic missile, piriform in profile with lattice pattern to the shoulder, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 722 grams, 14.2 cm
From a military inspired collection formed from the 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. -
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Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger
2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
With a narrow pointed blade and wide raised flange down centre, straight sides, well marked shoulders with narrow tang, one hole for rivet. 128 grams total, 17.6 cm high including stand
From 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].
The 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.
