Loading, please wait...
LOT 1094
Roman Iron Anti-Cavalry Caltrop Group
3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
3 1/4 - 3 5/8 in. (494 grams total, 83-92 mm).
Comprising eight caltrops, hand-forged with square-section spikes. [8, No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1971-1972.
From the collection of the vendor's father.
Property of a London, UK, collector.
Cf. Beutler, F. et al., Der Adler Roms. Carnuntum und die Armee der Cäsaren, Bad-Deutsch-Altenburg, 2017, item 204, for type.
FootnotesCaltrops were scattered on battlefields in an effort to stop or slow advancing enemy cavalry or foot soldiers; regardless of how a caltrop lands, one spike is always facing upwards. Caesar used widely them at Alesia (Caes., BG 7.73; 82): 'Stakes a foot long, with iron hooks attached to them, were entirely sunk in the ground before these, and were planted in every place at small intervals; these they called spurs'.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Medieval Iron Broad Socketted Axe
13th-16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Featuring scooped upper and lower edges, convex cutting edge and round-section socket; mounted on a modern wooden shaft. 2.8 kg, 91.5 cm
From an English collection, acquired 1990s. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. -
Roman Iron Plumbata Mamillata
4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
The barbed head with tapering cylindrical stem and biconical lead weight. 85 grams, 15 cm
Ex J. Layne collection, 1990s.
The lead-weighted darts known as plumbatae mamillatae, (or breasted javelin) were short darts mounted upon a shaft, of the same shape, and thrown from a short distance. A Roman soldier would typically carry around 5-6 of these darts at any one time, fastened to the back of his shield. They could be thrown overhand or underhand, with an effective throwing range of up to 60 meters by trained soldiers. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Group
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
The tanged trio with leaf-shaped heads and raised midrib to both faces. 112 grams total, 13.7-15.3 cm
Ex private collection, 1980s. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s.
