Roman 'Crown Type' Sword Hilt Guard

The group comprising triangular trilobate types, all socketted. 63.5 grams total, 24-42 mm



Ex London art market, 1980-1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

In the Greek warfare, archers were mainly employed by Scythians and Cretans. Both used composite bows made of wood, horn, bone and sinew. This explains the great range of Scythian arrowheads found on the Greek sites.

Biconical in profile with casting seam and reserved legend 'ΥΔΑ'. 38.2 grams, 29 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.

Biconical in profile with casting seam and reserved legend 'ΛY-P-N' = maybe ΛYKOΦ-PONO = Lykophronos (name). 25.6 grams, 31 mm



Acquired on the German art market before 2000. Private collection, Munich, Germany.

The leaden bullets, which were thrown from slings, were called in Greek molivdainai (μολύβδαιναι), 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, on two sides or on only one. In form they were more like an almond than an acorn, but many are pointed at both ends.