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LOT 0321
Late Roman Iron-Shafted Lead Plumbata
CIRCA 3RD-7TH CENTURY A.D.
5 1/8 in. (67.4 grams, 13 cm).
Comprising a barrel-shaped lead body with a round-section shaft with a barbed finial.
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Cf. Southern, P. & Dixon, K.R., The Late Roman Army, London, 1996, fig.46, pp.113-115.
FootnotesLead-weighted darts known as plumbatae mamillatae (or 'breasted javelin') were short darts mounted upon a shaft of the same shape, and thrown from a short distance. A Roman soldier would typically carry around 5-6 of these darts at any one time, fastened to the back of his shield. They could be thrown overhand or underhand, with an effective throwing range of up to 60 metres by trained soldiers.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0321
Late Roman Iron-Shafted Lead Plumbata
Estimate £300 - 400€350 - 460 (for guidance only)$410 - 540 (for guidance only)
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