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LOT 1387
Western Asiatic Style Dagger Group
20TH CENTURY A.D.
9 1/8 - 9 1/4 in. (425 grams total, 23.2-23.7 cm).
Each a curved steel blade with two fullers, stamped ornament; waisted bronze grip with applied bone panels, tendril ornament; cast scabbard with suspension rings, advancing warrior with scimitar to each face. [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired during the 1960s.
From an old North London oriental and ethnographical collection.
From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Lead Cnaeus Pompey Battle of Munda Slingshot
1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
A facetted lentoid-section sling shot (glans) with inscription in Latin letters 'CN' (Cneius) 'MAG' (Magnus) on one side, and 'IMP' for 'IMPERATOR' (victorious general) to the other side, i.e Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus Imperator (Pompey the Great the victorious general). 79.4 grams, 44 mm
Previously from a private Spanish collection. Ex London, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by a copy of a Spanish export licence.
The shot (Völling type 1C) is marked with the abbreviated name of Gnaeus Pompey; it was used in quantity at the Battle of Monda (or Munda) against Julius Caesar, 17th March 45 BC. The projectiles could be of different material: in lead (glandes) or in pottery or stone (lapides missiles). Sometimes they were signed with the name of the general, as is our specimen. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Piriform in profile with domed mouth; raised lugs to the body with impressed texture in between; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 719 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. -
Western Asiatic Sword Blade with Blood Channels
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
With corrugated raised midrib extending to a short tang, fullers with curved ends extending to the shoulders. 345 grams, 47.5 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1990s.
