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LOT 1117
Roman Bronze Armour Squama Scales Group
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
3/8 - 2 1/2 in. (30 grams total, 10-65 mm).
Mixed group of semi-rigid bronze scales with scalloped lower edges, pierced for attachment; together with two small panels of articulated lamina scales. [23+, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired in the late 1980s.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
Cf. Bishop, M.C. & Coulston, J.C.N., Roman military equipment, from the Punic wars to the fall of Rome, London, 2006, p.139, fig.84.2, for similar.
FootnotesA new form of rigid scale-armour, typified by pieces found in Britannia (Corbridge, Carlisle), Pannonia (Musov), Moesia (Iron Gates) and in various other provinces of the empire, was introduced earlier in the Antonine Period, and continued for all of the 3rd and 4th centuries A.D. The new body protection was realised with scales attached by wire to each of their four neighbouring scales. These new scales tended to be not only very small, but also long and slender and needed to be carefully shaped around the neck.
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Roman Marble Ballista Catapult Shot
1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Suitable for use with an onager or other catapult-type siege weapon; with smooth finished surface. 3 kg, 13 cm
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.
The operation of the onager (Latin for 'wild ass') is first mentioned in 353 A.D. by Ammianus Marcellinus in his Res Gestae and more fully in Vegetius's Epitoma Rei Militaris probably written in the reign of Emperor Theodosius I (378-395 A.D.). -
German Hand-And-A-Half Bastard Sword
15th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,680
Comprising a straight, flat triple fuller, double edged and tapering blade engraved with imperial orb sign, Passau wolf mark dated 15th century and 'DIGN LAGDIGNLA', with steel hilt comprising of down-turned quillons with ball finials and single ring outer defence, the bars of round section; matching inner defence bar with matching decoration to the quillons, spherical pommel rebound leather grip with original 'Turk's heads' to top and bottom but worn. 1.46 kg, 1.05 m
Acquired from Military Swords Ltd, UK, 2017. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of an invoice. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.203964. -
Luristan Bronze Dagger
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £160
Comprising a narrow double-edged blade, triangular in profile with raised midrib, rectangular guard with flanges, rectangular grip with lateral flanges to accept an organic grip, curved integral finial. 312 grams, 43 cm
Ex German collection, Cologne, 1980-1990s.
This weapon is typical of the cemeteries dating to the local Late Bronze Age (1300-1000 B.C.). The blade is still triangular but the crescentic pommel is reduced and flanged to be filled with organic material such as bone or wood.