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LOT 1414
Western Asiatic Integral Hilted Bronze Short Sword
LATE 3RD-2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
17 1/8 in. (713 grams, 43.5 cm).
With a broad, lentoid-section flat blade, rounded tip, sloping sides, well marked shoulders with wide but short tang.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Cf. Inassa, M., 'Daggers in ancient Mesopotamia' in Journal of Archaeological Research and Studies, vol.2, March 2018, pp.1-27, fig.1, p.26.
FootnotesThe sword finds similarity with the one from the Royal Cemetery of Ur. This is the most primitive form of dagger, consisting of a simple, pointed blade having slightly convex outline shoulders sloping to a short tang which has no rivets, and was probably hafted to wood with bitumen. Examples of the type come from Kish, Ur, dated to the 'Jemdet Nasr Period,' while the Ur date from the Early Dynastic to Sargonic Periods.
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LOT 1414
Western Asiatic Integral Hilted Bronze Short Sword
Estimate £300 - 400€350 - 460 (for guidance only)$410 - 540 (for guidance only)
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9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
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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. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
A small ceramic missile with segmented shoulder and impressed rosettes, domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 398 grams, 10.8 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'. -
Elamite Spiked Bronze Macehead with Bulls
Late 2nd-early 1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £1,800 - 2,400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
With three adjoining bull heads in high relief to the top, with three ears and three horns serving all the three heads; the horns curving towards the rim of the the closed top; the shaft adorned with vertical rows of pointed spikes; hollow socket tube with ring collar at the base. 349 grams, 14.5 cm
with a London, UK gallery, 1971-early 2000s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11997-22061.
