A large and heavy reinforced wooden spike, believed to have been used as a battering ram; formed from a mature tree trunk, trimmed to a point and fitted with a blacksmith-made wrought iron pyramidal tip secured to the ram with four long projections, each held in place with two large iron spikes. 17 3/4 in. (5.95 kg, 45 cm high). Fine condition. [No Reserve]

PROVENANCE:
From an old Italian collection.
With Babuino Casa d'Aste, Rome.
Property of a Dutch collector.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate no.11147-187179.

FOOTNOTES:
A most unusual survival of a brutal piece of siege equipment.