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LOT 1438
Western Asiatic Stone Macehead
3RD-2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
3 in. (453 grams, 74 mm).
Toroid and drilled vertically to accommodate a wooden shaft.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a London, UK, gentleman, 1990s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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AUCTIONS:
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Mesopotamian Veined Mottled Grey Stone Macehead
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Piriform with vertical socket expanding towards the narrower end; polished surface. 424 grams, 72 mm
Ex 1990s collection and with a central London gallery. -
Persian Dagger in White Metal and Copper Scabbard
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Two-edged jambiya with narrow curved blade, brass bolster with silver facing and applied undulating band; hardwood grip, silver facing to pommel; silver-cased brass sheath with raised foliage ornament, pierced D-shaped suspension lug. 393 grams, 39 cm
Acquired during the 1960s. From an old North London oriental and ethnographical collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Ovoid in profile with rounded base; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 922 grams, 14 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s onwards. 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.
