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Details

LOT 1509

Hellenistic Rhodian Lead Slingshot with Bee

3RD CENTURY B.C.

1 1/4 in. (27.2 grams, 31 mm).

Lentoid-section and depicting a bee to one side and inscription 'ΚΑΛΑ' on the other. [No Reserve]

Provenance

From a Manchester, UK, collection, 1990s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Literature

Cf. Manov, M., Torbov.N., 'Inscribed Lead Sling Bullets with the name of Alexander the Great and with other names and symbols found in Thrace' in Archaeologia Bulgarica, XX, 2, pp.29-43, fig.23, for identical; 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.38.

Footnotes

The slingshots with an inscription ΚΑΛΑ are believed to originate from the Island of Rhodes. On these sling bullets ΚΑΛΑ should be translated as “nice things.” Together with the Balearic slingers, Rhodian slingers were considered to be the best of the Hellenistic world, and they were also used in the Roman army.

CONDITION

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AUCTIONS:

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LOT 1509

Hellenistic Rhodian Lead Slingshot with Bee

Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,430

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