Medieval Bronze Sword Chape

With squat oblate body and central mounting hole. 434 grams, 73 mm



Ex 1990s collection and with a central London gallery.

Biconical in profile with casting seam and reserved legend 'ΥΔΑ'. 36.6 grams, 30 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

The leaden bullets, which were thrown from slings, were called molivdainai (μολύβδαιναι) in Greek, 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. In form they were more like an almond than an acorn, but many were pointed at both ends; in size, they are generally about 1.5 inches in maximum length, and under 1 inch in maximum width.

Hammered from sheet-bronze, hemispherical dome with a seam at the front and back, the seams secured together with a series of pins, threaded through rivet holes; from the front, a repoussé ridge forming curved brows leading down towards a nasal decorated with four pellets; two small perforations above the right brow and a perforation on either side of the top section; two cheek guards present, a characteristic of the helmet’s type, attached to the helmet with hinges, allowing for easier wear and construction; the cheek-pieces rectangular in shape and curved at the back; a horizontal band of inverted triangles decorating the top of each cheek guard, each pierced towards the bottom, where an inner lining would have been attached, two curved cut-outs behind to accommodate ears; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 1.46 kg total, 48 cm including stand



Previously with the Parthenon Gallery, WC1, London, UK; acquired 2010. From the J.L. collection, Surrey, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12909-244364.

The Chalcidian helmet was a popular type of helmet in the Hellenistic world, particularly in the Greek-occupied region of southern Italy, during the 5th and 4th centuries. However, types have also been found from the mid-6th century BC. It was a lightweight progression from the Corinthian helmet and allowed the wearer better hearing and vision than its older, bulkier Corinthian counterparts. The term ‘Chalcidian’ originates from its frequent depiction on pottery once thought to have come from the Euboean city of Chalcis. This variant of the Chalcidian helmet, featuring hinged cheekplates, is also known as the Lucanian type, as it was used extensively in Lucania. This type of helmet was still in use by the time of Alexander the Great, particularly by the hoplites, heavy infantrymen, and is thought to have developed into the Attic helmet, used well into the Imperial Roman era.