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LOT 1857
Western Asiatic Bronze Socketted Axehead
2ND-1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
4 1/4 in. (112 grams, 10.8 cm).
With flat blade a curved cutting edge, hammered round-section tubular socket. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
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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Luristan Bronze Socketted Adze
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Long tubular socket, rectangular-section tapering blade with convex cutting edge. 355 grams, 14.2 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s. -
Luristan Bronze Macehead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
With a globular body and tubular socket with two raised collars above and a flaring base; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 329 grams total, mace: 83 mm
From the collection of the late Sir Clinton Charles Donald Cory, 5th Baronet of Coryton. Ex Philip Auction House, 24 September 1985. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Piriform in profile with impressed decoration on the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 754 grams, 13.9 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.
