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LOT 1097
Greek Style Bronze Helmet
20TH CENTURY A.D.
12 in. (1.5 kg, 30.5 cm high).
Featuring hammered helmet detailing together with mythical creatures and coiled snakes.
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
On original Pseudo-Corinthian or Apulo-Corinthian helmets see Bottini, A., ‘Apulo-Korintische Helme’, in Bottini, A., Egg, M., Von Hase, F. W., Pflug, H., Schaaf, U., Schauer, P., Waurick, G., Antike Helme, Sammlung Lipperheide und andere Bestände des Antikenmuseums Berlin, Mainz, 1988, pp.107-136.
FootnotesThe helmet is modelled upon the pseudo-Corinthian models of antiquity. The gryphon represented refers to the wars between these mythological creatures and the Arimaspes.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Iron Gladius
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £1,800 - 2,400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £722
Or semi-spatha blade with parallel-sided lentoid-section body and a long rectangular-section tang; Mainz type, Wederath-Canterbury-Kopki variant; repaired and surface treated. 557 grams, 83 cm
Ex South London collection, acquired 1970-1990. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
In contrast to the average length of the Roman Pompeii type gladius, some Roman swords, continuing the typology of the Mainz gladius, tend to be longer and transform themselves into a semi-spatha. Both the weapon from Eich (Miks, 2001, AI43), and especially a gladius from Korytnica with approximate blade length of 548mm (total length 762mm) is very close to the length limit of a semi-spatha. The same can be said of a blade from Godmanchester (Miks, 2001, no.A824) for its dimensions and proportions, where the tip of the blade already gives a significantly shorter impression, showing a certain relationship to 'Lauriacum-Hrornöwka', 'Mainz-Canterbury' variant type spathae. -
Roman Marble Ballista Catapult Shot
1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Suitable for use with an onager or other catapult-type siege weapon; with smooth surface. 1.4 kg, 10 cm
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
The operation of the onager (Latin for 'wild ass') is first mentioned in 353 A.D. by Ammianus Marcellinus in his Res Gestae and more fully in Vegetius's Epitoma Rei Militaris probably written in the reign of Emperor Theodosius I (378-395 A.D.). -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Pear-shaped ceramic vessel with domed filler-hole, circumferential impressed bands to the shoulder and equator; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 490 grams, 15 cm
Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s. 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'.
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. Such were the γανωτα, vessels (sometimes also of bronze) used for Greek fire. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.
