Loading, please wait...
LOT 1440
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.
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:
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.
LOT 1440
Western Asiatic Integral Hilted Bronze Short Sword
Estimate £250 - 350€290 - 410 (for guidance only)$340 - 470 (for guidance only)
-
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Piriform missile with domed filler-hole, petalled decoration to the upper body with pellets, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 431 grams, 10.7 cm
From a specialist London, UK, arms and armour collection, 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. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Blade
Circa 1000 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Tapering with rounded shoulders and flattened mid-ribs, tapered square sectioned tang pierced at the tip. 170 grams, 26.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
Moorey, Gordon and Khorasani created a classification of bladed weapons, according to which daggers are edged weapons no greater than 36cm in length, dirks (short swords) are between 36cm and 50cm in length, and swords are edged weapons greater than 50cm in length. -
Amarlu Type Bronze Sword with Mushroom Pommel
Late 2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
With solid hilt having a penannular guard, an openwork grip and a conical cast mushroom pommel, the blade with pronounced mid-rib and tapering to a sharp point. 598 grams, 51.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
According to Moorey, such swords with mushroom pommels originated from North-Western Iran, as proved by Amarlu finds. He dates them to the end of the 2nd millennium B.C., more precisely to a period between 1400-1200 B.C.
