Loading, please wait...
LOT 1362
Western Asiatic Copper Flat Axe
2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
6 3/4 in. (152 grams, 17.2 cm).
Flat in section with rounded butt and flared blade. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom an old English collection formed in the 1980s.
Property of an Essex gentleman; acquired on the UK art market.
TimeLine 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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
With broad shoulder, short neck, domed square-shaped lip and conical base, broad medial band, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 472 grams, 10.7 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. 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'.
The effectiveness of these grenades was much lower than the fire liquid thrown by the siphons. They were thrown by hand as it is evident by the presence of some sort of handle on the body of some of them to better allow the grip of the object (Raimondo, 2000 Plate 11a; fig. 4, c-d). Nothing excludes that they were also launched at more long distance with catapults or other war engines. The presence of a fuse for triggering the explosion is evidenced by the narrow mouth of the largest part of the grenades. -
Large North-Western Persian Bronze Sword Blade
11h-7th century B.C.Estimate: £180 - 240 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £90
With prominently curved guard extending out from the ricasso partly framing the hilt, thick midrib extending slightly above the ricasso. 385 grams, 44 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The 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. Their chronology ranges from the late 2nd millennium B.C. to the 7th century B.C. -
Urartu Bronze Repoussé Fragment with Advancing Warriors on Horseback
Circa 9th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,560
The rectangular fragment with repoussé leaf borders, the outer scene composed of advancing warriors on horseback, each rider holding a round shield and a quiver of arrows on his back, a horned animal and a rosette to the right; the central scene with a winged human-headed bull flanking a tree, possibly a pomegranate tree or a tree of life; the lower edge pierced for attachment. 41 grams, 12 cm wide
From the property of the late Mr SM, London, UK, 1969-1999. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.
