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LOT 1870
Western Asiatic Polished Stone Macehead
3RD-2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
2 1/2 in. (233 grams, 63 mm).
Ovoid body with a round socket.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a London, UK, gentleman, 1990s.
LiteratureCf. Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003, pl.XXXI, no.30, for similar example.
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Greek Bronze Arrowhead
Circa 5th-3rd century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
A triangular bronze arrowhead on a display stand with a glass cover. 113 grams total, 16.6 cm including stand
Purchased on the European art market. Property of a Norfolk, UK, collector. -
Luristan Bronze Socketted Axehead
3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Circular socket and a slender triangular-section blade with a curving cutting edge. 691 grams, 15 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
This is an example of socketted axes with plano-convex blade, variant H2Cd of Gernez classification. Unadorned weapons, especially axes, adzes and picks, were made by Luristan craftsmen using simple clay or stone bivalve moulds. Typically, the metallic composition consisted of a combination of arsenical bronze and copper, together with a small percentage of lead. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Piriform in profile with impressed motifs on the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 461 grams, 10.5 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.
