Loading, please wait...

Greek Macedonian Lead Inscribed Slingshot Greek Macedonian Lead Inscribed Slingshot Greek Macedonian Lead Inscribed Slingshot
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Details

LOT 1517

Greek Macedonian Lead Inscribed Slingshot

3RD-1ST CENTURY B.C.

1 1/4 in. (34.5 grams, 31 mm).

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

Provenance

Ex 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.

Literature

For similar 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, type iib of Volling.

Footnotes

The 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; in size, they are generally about one inch and a half in maximum length, and under one inch in maximum width.

CONDITION
VETTING:

TimeLine 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.

LOT 1517

Greek Macedonian Lead Inscribed Slingshot

Sold for (Inc. bp): £520

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Turco-Mongol Greek Fire Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    Turco-Mongol 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
    13th-15th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £78

    Cylindrical body with pointed tip, tiered mouth and hatched linear decoration on the upper body; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 523 grams, 13.4 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.

    Lot Details

  • Viking Age Danish Iron Broad Axehead
    Viking Age Danish Iron Broad Axehead
    Late 10th-early 11th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £572

    With rectangular spurs above and below the curved socket, medium-broad flaring triangular-section blade extending to a curved edge, hammer extension to the rear. 245 grams, 13.6 cm

    Fair condition.

    Private collection, York, UK, 1990s. Property of a Sussex, UK, teacher. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    The first specialised battle-axes which appeared in the second half of the 10th century A.D. were light, narrow, usually thinly forged but with broad-edged blades, sometimes decorated with precious metals.

    Lot Details

  • Luristan Bronze Sword
    Luristan Bronze Sword
    Late 2nd millennium B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £520

    Later hilt with mushroom-shaped pommel, openwork grip with 'chain'-shaped pattern, crescentic guard, long sloping blade with rectangular-section mid-ridge. 1.05 kg, 55.2 cm



    Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    These bronze swords were characterised by a solid-cast hilt with penannular guard, a grip equipped with raised shaped figures and a conical, hollow-cast mushroom pommel. The blade had a very pronounced shaped central midrib. In the complete specimens the hilt was usually cast with the blade.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list