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LOT 1502
Greek Macedonian Lead Inscribed Impacted Slingshot Group
3RD-1ST CENTURY B.C.
1 - 1 1/8 in. (190 grams total, 24-29 mm).
Each biconical in form, some with reserved legends reading DEXAI 'take this', deformed by impact. [5, No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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.37, Volling type iib, for similar.
FootnotesThe leaden bullets, which were thrown from slings, were called in Greek Molivdainai (μολύβδαιναι), and in Latin glandes; the former indicating the material ‘lead’, the latter the shape ‘acorns’. These bullets, were cast in a mould and bore letters or devices, or both, on two sides or on only one. In form they were more like an almond than an acorn, but many are pointed at both ends.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1502
Greek Macedonian Lead Inscribed Impacted Slingshot Group
Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
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Caucasian Axehead with Engraved Dragon Heads
Koban Culture, 12th-8th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,050
Comprising a swept curved edge, slender neck with faceting, bulb socket and small striking face to the butt; frieze of hatched serpentine necks and heads to each face of the blade, with reserved triangles; band of hatched chevrons to the neck, horizontal fluting to the socket; mounted on a custom-made stand. 806 grams total including stand, axehead: 18.8 cm
Franz Heger (1853-1931), Austrian traveller and ethnographer, acquired in the Caucasus during his 1890 expedition. Believed to have been gifted circa 1930 to Franz Hancar (1893-1968), noted scholar and expert in ancient Caucasian cultures. Thence by descent, acquired in the 1950s by Mr R.D., Vienna, Austria. Acquired from the above in 1998 by N.M., former Israeli Ambassador to Austria (1998-2000). Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12840-240720. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
During the latter half of the 2nd millennium B.C., one type of axe head dominated in the region of the Eastern European steppes. It had a narrow horizontal blade, a short blade and a tube-shaped handle. Examples have been found across the steppes of Eastern Europe from Transcaucasia. From the middle of the second millennium B.C., the spread of the type in the Eastern Steppes was connected with the movement of Iranian-speaking nomads, maybe the Tocharo-speaking tribes, who used two-wheeled horse-drawn war chariots. -
Viking Socketted Iron Spearhead
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Leaf-shaped blade and tapering, round-section socket, pierced for attachment to a shaft; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 162 grams, 22 cm long (229 grams total including stand)
Fair condition.
UK gallery, acquired in the 2000s. Property of an English gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
13th-15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
A hollow vessel with cylindrical body and short neck, raised vertical lugs on the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 587 grams, 16.5 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s onwards. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
