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LOT 1523
Western Asiatic Polished Stone Macehead
3RD-2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
3 1/2 in. (377 grams, 91 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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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1523
Western Asiatic Polished Stone Macehead
Estimate £100 - 140€120 - 160 (for guidance only)$140 - 190 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£50 (EUR 58; USD 68) +BP*
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Luristan Bronze Axehead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £50
With a short socketted shaft and flange to the mouth, a broadening blade towards the cutting edge. 374 grams, 12.3 cm
Ex Abelita collection, 1990s. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Collection
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Bids: 3 | Current Bid: £90
Comprising tanged arrowheads, most with barbs. 114 grams total, 36-53 mm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
Circa 11th-14th century A.D.Estimate: £60 - 80 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
With a piriform body and domed mouth, stepped rings to the foot, engraved decoration on the shoulders with crosses and grapes; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 573 grams, 15 cm
Acquired 1990s. From the H.N. collection, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, UK. 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 Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also in bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.