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LOT 0278
Pair of Roman Lamellar Greaves of a Heavily Armoured Mounted Cataphractarius Soldier
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
17 3/4 x 19 7/8 in. (1.8 kg total, 45-50.5 cm).
A complete pair of lamellar greaves, anatomically formed protection featuring curved, overlapping metal plates (lames), the knee area having large plates and cut-outs at the sides to enable better movement; the left greave consists of nineteen overlapping U-shaped metal strips, whilst the right consists of twenty, each with two rivets at each end of every strip. [2]
ProvenanceAcquired on the Munich art market in the 1990s.
From a South German private collection.
German export licence no.15771.
Accompanied by an academic report by Prof. Dr Phil. Peter Rothenhöfer and Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13540-263658.
Cf. D’Amato, R., Negin, A., Roman Heavy Cavalry (1), Cataphractarii & Clibanarii,1st Century BC-5th Century AD, Oxford, 2018, figs.pp.38-39; Hunter F. and Braby, A., The complete brass armguard (manica) from Newstead, Scottish Borders. Journal of Roman Military Equipment Studies 22, 2021, pp. 1–13; Bryan, B., Hunter, F., West, R., The Newstead brass manica: an update. Journal of Roman Military Equipment Studies 23/24, 2022/23, pp. 69-72; D'Amato, R., Rothenhöfer, P., A Pair of complete lamelli Greaves of a Catafractarius, JAC 2027 (forthcoming).
FootnotesA close example in construction technique and material is an arm guard (manica) from Newstead (Trimontium).
The heavy armoured cavalrymen (cataphractarii) were often protected entirely on arms and legs, as shown by the Dura Europos graffito and echoed in the words of Nazianzius describing the clibanarii of Maxentius (Pan., XXII,5ff.): 'In the army they are called clibanarii, the men are covered in the upper part, an armour (lorica) which extends down to the horses’chest (pectora equorum) and hang to their forelegs protects them from the injury of a wound without impending their gait…' Nazanzius speaks of an ostentatio armorum (display of armour) and of operti ferro exercitus (army covered with iron). A long splint-armour gauntlet with metal staves had already begun to appear as early as the third century in the Roman army. It had an Iranian origin and is typical of Eurasian horse people.
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LOT 0278
Pair of Roman Lamellar Greaves of a Heavily Armoured Mounted Cataphractarius Soldier
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000€23,200 - 34,800 (for guidance only)$27,000 - 40,500 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£10,000 (EUR 11,600; USD 13,500) +BP*
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Brass Ceremonial Halberd Polearm
Late 19th-early 20th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Comprising: wooden haft with tapering end; heavy rectangular block with lozenge-section spike above, hook to rear and broad curved blade; screw fitting to tubular sleeve attached to the haft. 1.44 kg, 140 cm
From the private collection of Peter Clayton, FCILIP, Dip, Arch, FSA, FRNS, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK; formed since the late 1950s. -
Luristan Bronze Sword Blade
13th-7th century B.C.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £300
Slender blade widening at the base, three raised median ribs extending to the short tang; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 420 grams total, 41 cm high including stand
German collection, cologne 1990s. Ex John Lawton private collection, Surrey, UK.
According to Moorey, such categories of swords were distributed in the Northern Iran area, as proved by the Amarlu finds. Based on the example from the Ashmolean Museum, he dated them to the end of the 2nd millennium B.C., more precisely to a period between the 14th and 13th centuries B.C. The type was in use until the 7th century B.C. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Estimate: £70 - 90 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Biconical body with pointed base and a domed filler hole; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and a wick, and used as a hand grenade. 540 grams, 13.3 cm
Ex important collection of weaponry, London, UK, 1980-1990s. 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. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια, where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.
