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LOT 0523
Greek Lead Slingshot Bullets
CIRCA 2ND-1ST CENTURY B.C.
1 1/8 in. (62.9 grams total, 29 mm each).
Lentoid in plan and in section with low-relief legend to the centre of one face. [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceProperty of a European gentleman, acquired from the estate of a London collector (formed before 2000).
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Greek Black-Figure Alabastron with Fighting Warriors
Attic, 500-480 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13,000
Of ovoid shape, short neck and expanded flat rim; painted in horizontal bands with black vertical strokes the shoulder, ovules in the upper part, the central scene representing a Greek Ekdromos fighting a Scythian archer; the Greek warrior, wearing a light sleeveless chiton, and a crested Corinthian helmet, carrying a wide hoplon shield, and a long spear with which he is slashing his opponent; the Scythian archer is wearing a typical tall cap flowing backwards and his long coat-suit, carrying a gorytos, (quiver) and composite bow with arrow; horizontal black stripes below; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 262 grams total, 16 cm high including stand
Louis-Gabriel Bellon (1819-1899) collection, France. European private collection, 2009. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.13019-246753.
The importance of this alabastron is linked to its iconography, which represents episodes of the Persian Wars, fought 490-480 B.C. Such alabastra are part of a series realised during the period of the conflict and after, and they are an important source of information on the Persian and Greek armies. Here, the two opponents evoke the Greek victories, with a light-armed Greek ekdromos (hoplite fighting in light equipment) killing a Scythian archer, who formed part of the Persian army. The representation of Scythian costume in vase-painting reached its height of popularity between c. 530 and 490 B.C., and went out of fashion after the Graeco-Persian wars, when these clothes began to be associated with the Persian ethnic identity rather than the original Scythian. -
Greek Terracotta Spindle-Flask and Votive Plate Group
Hellenistic, circa 2nd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
With a long, narrow neck and a chamfered mouth, developing to a fusiform body and a flared foot; three shallow footed dishes, one with voided centre. 93 grams total, 48-90 mm
From a UK private collection since at least 1946. Property of a West London, UK, gentleman. -
Etruscan Bronze Mirror
Circa 8th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Comprising a flat disc with lightly lipped rim and incised ring, five clusters of ring-and-dot motifs around central ring-and-dot; applied handle with lateral arms at base, balustered shank. 113 grams, 17.2 cm
From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent.
