Loading, please wait...
LOT 1492
Greek Macedonian Lead Inscribed Slingshot Group
3RD-1ST CENTURY B.C.
1 1/4 - 1 3/8 in. (115 grams total, 33-36 mm).
Each biconical in profile and lentoid in section with casting seam. [3, 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.
See similar slingshot in the British Museum, London, inv.no. 1851,0507.11.
FootnotesLead sling bullet of this almond shape type were often decorated (like one of our specimens) with a winged thunderbolt on one side and on the other side with the inscription DEXAI "Catch!" in high relief. In the Hellenistic armies, the Rhodians were considered formidable slingers, and used as mercenaries by Hellenistic and Roman Consular armies.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Large Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade with TL Test
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Cylindrical body with pointed tip, deep circumferential groove beneath the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 1.59 kg, 15.5 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s onwards. Accompanied by an original thermoluminescence analysis report by Oxford Authentication with sample no.P125g16. 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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): £91
Piriform body with a domed mouth, a circumferential hatched band on the shoulder; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 594 grams, 12.5 cm
From an important specialist collection, London, UK, 1990s onwards. 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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. -
Viking Age Iron T-Shaped Axehead
Circa 9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
With broad curved edge, narrow neck, round flared socket with triangular flanges to each face and rectangular hammer extension to the rear. 378 grams, 16.5 cm
Ex North American private collection, 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
