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LOT 1802
Greek Lead Slingshot with Trident of Poseidon
3RD-1ST CENTURY B.C.
1 1/4 in. (33.4 grams, 31 mm).
Biconical in profile with casting seam and low relief trident motif to one face.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
LiteratureCf. 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.6, 37 (type Volling IIb).
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LOT 1802
Greek Lead Slingshot with Trident of Poseidon
Estimate £100 - 140€120 - 160 (for guidance only)$140 - 190 (for guidance only)
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Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Large ovoid body with impressed decoration and raised shoulder on one side; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 970 grams, 16 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. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Piriform body with domed filler hole, impressed circumferential bands on the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 718 grams, 16 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. -
Post Medieval Iron Poleaxe with Wooden Handle
Germany or England, 16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
With a broad, flaring triangular-section blade extending to a curved edge with carination to its rear, pointed extension to the reverse of the socket; the blade decorated with openwork floral and vegetal patterns; mounted on a wooden shaft. 1.75 kg, 140.5 cm
Acquired from Lyon & Turnbull, UK, in 2013. From a large West London collection formed from the 1990s.
This is a war weapon issued to infantry, intended for use against cavalry. The distinctive openwork blade suggests it was a standard-issue weapon, not for an occasional use.
