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LOT 1866
Greek Lead Slingshot with X
4TH-3RD CENTURY B.C.
1 1/2 in. (30.4 grams, 37 mm).
Biconical in profile with casting seam and Greek legend '...X...' to one face. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Cf. 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).
FootnotesGreek bullets were cast in two-part moulds. Clay and stone moulds survive; metal moulds are much rarer in the archaeological records. The mould halves carry the negative of the bullet’s shape, often in rows, so that multiple bullets can be made at once. A narrow gate at the tip of each negative lets molten lead run into the cavity. After cooling, the caster opens the mould and breaks the sprue that links the bullets.
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Comprising leaf-shaped and triangular tanged arrowheads, most with a raised midrib. 238 grams total, 8.1-18.7 cm
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All these bronze typologies of arrowheads were cast in moulds. Similar specimens have been found in Northwest and West Iran, Azerbaijan, Luristan and Amlash. Most of these blades are bipartite, but the definition of the bipartite type is not absolute, as it brings together weapons of very different and unrelated designs. In fact, some weapons do not have a sufficiently characteristic shape to be interpreted as a javelin or long arrowhead. -
Greek Lead Slingshot of Alexander the Great, Celebrating him as Invincible
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Biconical in profile with casting seam and reserved monogram 'AB = ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ' (Αlexandrou basileos), a laurel wreath, symbol of victory, on the other side; extremely rare, only two specimens known. 27.48 grams, 32 mm
From a German private collection, formed since the 1980s. Previously property of an Austrian collector, Vienna.
The laurel wreath representing victory is also depicted on, e.g. gold staters of Alexander the Great, held by the goddess Nike. -
Luristan Bronze Short Sword with Crescent-Shaped Pommel
10th century B.C.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £250
Comprising a triangular blade with integral ribbed handle and a crescentic pommel. 450 grams, 40 cm
Ex Abelita family collection, 1980s-2000s.
These kinds of bronze daggers or dirks, typical of Marlik culture, were cast in a one piece mould according to Negahban, although in some specimens the guard was later cast into the blade. The separate sets of encircling ribs on the grips are again typical of swords from the Marlik area. In our specimen the grip is opened on one side to receive organic filling.
