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LOT 1482
Greek Bronze Tri-Finned Arrowhead Collection
CIRCA 7TH-3RD CENTURY B.C.
7/8 - 1 3/4 in. (77 grams total, 23-46 mm).
Comprising: seven arrowheads with a slender, lozenge-shaped blade and a socket extending near the tip, base of the socket with a side lug; eight socketted bronze arrowheads, mainly triangular or foliate in section, trilobate and with short socket. [15, No Reserve]
ProvenanceUK private collection before 2000.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.
Cf. Sekunda, N., Marathon 490 BC, The first Persian invasion of Greece, Oxford, 2002, p.60; Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003, in Russian, for similar arrowheads from Eurasian sites (plate XLIV, figs.19, 31, 32, 36, 37, 38, 39, 51, 71).
FootnotesThe Scythians were famous for their archery abilities, and were often employed as mercenaries. The Athenian tyrant Pisistratus hired them and they participated in battles beside the Athenian phalanx as well as serving as a police corps keeping order within the city of Athens. This explains the great range of Scythian arrowheads found on the Greek sites.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman 'Pompey the Great' Lead Slingshot
1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Biconical lead slingshot (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). 59.6 grams, 40 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 4th May 2022 and titled 'Roman Res Publica - Lead Slingshots (glandes) of Caesarian Age - 45 B.C circa'.
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 were made of different materials: lead (glandes) or in pottery or stone (lapides missiles). Sometimes they were signed with the name of the general, like our specimen. -
Iron Age Celtic Iron Axe and Spearhead Displays
Circa 2nd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Comprising a spearhead with leaf-shaped blade and raised triangular mid-rib, short tapering open socket with inside wood remains, and a forged axe with folded rectangular-section open socket and flared crescent-edge blade. 791 grams total, 11.2-22.5 cm
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
The Celtic warrior used a light javelin to throw and a heavier thrusting spear at close quarters. An iron spearhead of identical shape but with bronze decoration was recovered from the Thames and dated to the late Iron Age. -
Large Bronze Age Shield Boss
8th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
A hammered discoid shield raised from a single sheet, displaying a central conoid boss; two pairs of circular piercings to the perimeter. 297 grams, 26.5 cm wide
UK private collection before 2000. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
These kind of shields, of small dimensions, were used by infantry or horse-archers of Luristan and neighbouring cultures (Elamites, Zagros Tribesmen, like Hurrians, Lullubians, Kutians, and Kassites, Assyrians), as well as by Urartu, West-Iranian and Northern Caucasian civilisations around the Caspian Sea. The bronze boss was probably attached to a leather and wooden background.
