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LOT 1484
Greek Lead Slingshot with Macedonian Star
3RD-1ST CENTURY B.C.
1 1/8 in. (27.2 grams, 30 mm).
Biconical in profile with a casting seam and a rayed solar symbol, the so-called Argead Star, on one side. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
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 (2016), pp.29-43, fig.14, for a bullet with a similar symbol.
FootnotesThe rayed solar symbol (Argead Star, Vergina Star) is interpreted as the historical royal symbol of the ancient Macedonian Dynasty of the Argeads, with its most famous member being Alexander the Great.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1484
Greek Lead Slingshot with Macedonian Star
Estimate £60 - 80€70 - 93 (for guidance only)$81 - 108 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £80 - 100 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Bulbous body with a tiered base; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 960 grams, 14.8 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s. 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 Bronze Tanged Spearhead
14th-10th century B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £51
Leaf-shaped blade with raised midrib extending to the rectangular-section tang with a bent finial. 171 grams, 25.5 cm
Ex Abelita collection, 1990s. -
Luristan Bronze Dagger
13th century B.C.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £900
With a lentoid-section blade, tongue-shaped in plan, with an integral tapering hilt with flared finial, lateral flanges to accept the remains of a panel of cream-coloured stone to each face which would have formed the grip. 255 grams, 32.7 cm
Acquired on the UK art market, 1990s. Private collection, New York, USA.
The art of Luristan can be described as the art of nomadic herdsmen and horsemen with an emphasis on the crafting of small, easily portable objects, among these a great number of bronze weapons. The rich and noble aristocrats of Luristan, Elamites, Hurrians, Lullubians, Kutians, and Kassites went to battle splendidly equipped and wore magnificent bronze armour, using maces, spears and daggers as offensive weapons, alongside spears, bows and arrows.
