Medieval Socketted Catapult Dart

A substantial silver archer's ring comprising a hoop with reserved triangular ornament on the edges and triangular plaque with foliage motifs, raised central panel with frond motif. 22.61 grams, 34.77 mm overall, 25.16 mm internal diameter



Acquire in the 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

Archer rings in Late Byzantium and the medieval Balkans were connected with the employment of the powerful composite bow, but very often, in 14th century, they were rank symbol for aristocratic noblemen. Archaeological findings of archers’ rings originate mainly from fortified towns, including mining centres. Many were made in bone, simple in design and undecorated. In contrast, the ones made in bronze and silver were usually decorated in rather uniform style, consisting of floral motifs on the head, mostly tulip and foliage, and linear motifs around the edges. This decoration combined Turkish, Central European and Eastern Roman traditional patterns.

A cylindrical bronze macehead with five D-shaped flanges to the circumference; socket to base. 131 grams, 80 mm



Early 1990s London collection. Acquired on the UK art market. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK.

Bronze maces with a long bronze tubular sleeve appeared in Mesopotamia from the last third of the 3rd millennium B.C., apparently being of Palestinian origin. This type of mace was then spread to Elam and from there to India.

A slender leaf-shaped copper-alloy arrowhead with rectangular-section tang, bent over forming a loop; Phoenician letter stamped to one face of the head. 10.1 grams. 90 mm



Acquired 1969-1999. London collection of the late Mr S.M., thence by descent.