Greek Lead Slingshot

3RD-1ST CENTURY B.C.

1 1/8 in. (30.89 grams, 29 mm).

Biconical in profile with casting seam and reserved legend 'ΠΕΤΑ'. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Acquired on the German art market before 2000.
Private collection, Munich, Germany.

Literature

See 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.7, cat.33 (type Volling Ib), showing the same intervention to sharpen the tips.

Footnotes

The term ‘peta’ likely refers to the petaon, a type of ancient Greek leather-pouch or hand-sling, which was used to throw a projectile with a heavy, flat dart known as a kestros. It was not connected with the slingshots, but its meaning was probably linked to the missile throwing activity.

CONDITION

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LOT 1489