Roman Iridescent Glass Beaker

Comprising three lentoid-section glandes. 167 grams total, 50-65 mm



Ex Simmons Gallery, London E11, UK, in the 1990s. From a North London collection.

The trio finds parallels with examples unearthed at Ham Hill, Somerset, UK. The sling (funda) with its lead missiles (plumbea pondera) was used by special funditores, illustrated on Trajan’s Column where they are simply dressed in broad tunics with no armour, but carry a shield. Their cloak, or sagulum acted as an ammunition bag. The effectiveness of the slingers was unquestionable and much appreciated, especially against elephants. Celsus, writing towards the end of the 2nd century A.D., described how a slingshot wound was more dangerous and harder to treat than one inflicted by an arrow.

Modelled in the round with naturalistic detailing, feeding on a nut held between its front paws, sitting on a sub-rectangular base. 7.49 grams, 21 mm



‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.

Comprising a bowl with incised geometric decoration; knife with single-edged iron blade and decoratively incised pommel; and a pin with tapering round-section body, shallow conical finial and decoratively incised head. 106 grams total, 4.8-13.5 cm



Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.