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LOT 1512
Western Asiatic Polished Stone Macehead
3RD-2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
3 1/2 in. (456 grams, 90 mm).
With slightly carinated equator to the globular body and tubular shaft.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of North West London, UK, gentleman, early 2000s.
LiteratureSee Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003, pl.XXX, no.47, mace of a deity, detail of the image on the “Stela of Kites” Eanatuma, Ngirsu, mid-3rd millennium B.C.
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Piriform in profile with a rounded base, and two circumferential bands on the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 465 grams, 13.7 cm
From a specialist collection, London, UK, 1990-2000s. 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. -
Luristan Socketted Bronze Axe Head
12th-8th century B.C.Estimate: £600 - 800 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £300
Comprising a wide curving blade and long neck with a band of herringbone decoration at the base, tubular neck with claw-like extension to the rear and a decorative diagonal band to both sides. 308 grams, 10.6 cm
Acquired on the Swiss art market, 1997. Private collection, Europe. -
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Luristan Bronze Dirk
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
With a parallel-sided blade curving to a point, with a broad mid-rib, and a rectangular-section tang. 275 grams, 37 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
MacGregor dated such blades to the Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age. 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.
