Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 1786
Greek Lead Slingshot with Inscription and Bee
3RD CENTURY B.C.
1 1/4 in. (30.4 grams, 31 mm).
Lentoid-section and depicting a bee to one side and the inscription 'ΚΑΛΑ' on the other.
Provenance
Ex German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Literature
Cf. Manov, M., Torbov.N., 'Inscribed Lead Sling Bullets with the name of Alexander the Great and with other names and symbols found in Thrace' in Archaeologia Bulgarica, XX, 2, pp.29-43, fig.23, for identical; Schinco, G., Small, A.M., 'A previously unknown siege of Botromagno/Silvium: the evidence of slingshots from Gravina in Puglia (Provincia di Bari, Puglia)' in Papers of the British School at Rome, 2019, pp.1-52, fig.38.
Footnotes
The slingshots with an inscription ΚΑΛΑ are believed to originate from the island of Rhodes. On these sling bullets, ΚΑΛΑ should be translated as “nice things.” Together with the Balearic slingers, Rhodian slingers were considered to be the best of the Hellenistic world, and they were also used in the Roman army.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine 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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
Large Medieval Socketted Iron Arrowhead
Circa 13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
With swept lateral barbs and deep conical socket. 20.66 grams, 88 mm
Acquired from a USA private collector in the 1990s. Ex Buckinghamshire, UK, collection. -
Luristan Bronze Tanged Spearhead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Comprising a triangular blade with a narrow midrib, a short tang with two piercings, and attachment studs in situ. 125 grams, 25.6 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
The spearhead belongs to type 2 according to the classification of Khorasani. A similar specimen was excavated by Negahban in Marlik. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Collection
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Comprising tanged arrowheads, seven with large elongated triangular blades and raised midrib, sharp central groove, two with barbed shoulders and cylindrical stem with handle for the shaft. 205 grams total, 9.1-12.3 cm
London, UK, collection, 1990s.
These arrowheads seem to belong to the type V, subcategories C and D, according to the classification of Khorasani and Negahban. In the four categories of triangular bronze arrowheads from Luristan, Marlik, and Northern Iran, individuated by Negahban, subtypes C and D of type V are larger arrow or javelin heads, C with barbed shoulders and D with round shoulders. Most of them were cast in moulds.
