Loading, please wait...
LOT 1470
Roman Julius Caesar 'Battle of Munda' Lead Slingshot
45 B.C.
1 1/2 in. (48.5 grams, 37 mm).
A biconical facetted lentoid-section lead sling shot (glans), inscription monogram a combination of letters 'C', 'A' and 'E', for 'C A E S' referring to Julius Caesar. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK art market.
Property of a gentleman collector.
Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 4th May 2022 and titled 'Roman Res Publica - Lead Slingshots (glandes) of Caesarian Age - 45 B.C circa'.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. D'Amato, R. and Sumner, G., Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier: From Marius to Commodus, 112 BC-AD 192, London, 2009, fig.32, p.45, for similar glandes from Zaragoza Museum, one with the name of Pompey inscribed also coming from Munda battlefield; Schinco, G., Small, A.M., 'A previously unknown siege of Botromagno/Silvium: the evidence of slingshots from Gravina in Puglia (Provincia di Bari, Puglia)' in Papers of the British School at Rome, 2019, pp.1-52, figs.31, 37.
FootnotesThe shot (type IIb of the Völling classification) is marked with the abbreviated name of Julius Caesar; vast quantities were used at the Battle of Munda (or Monda) against the last supporters of Pompey, the leaders of the Optimates, on the 17th March 45 BC. Similar shots were used during Caesar's wars. The slingers of Caesar's age were part of the light infantry. Caesar speaks of his Balearic slingers during the conquest of Gaul. They wore a short tunic, with leather or rope sandals to the feet, and a warm overcoat which could also have been used to store projectiles. They also used a satchel to carry deadly lead-like stones or bullets.
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.
-
.jpg)
Post Medieval Iron Dagger with Bronze Hilt
17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
Comprising a triangular two-edged blade with median chamfer, ricasso at the rear, quillons formed as two vertical rings on short arms, wooden grip with most of the hatched mounting ring, rectangular pommel with raised panel to each face. 276 grams, 42.2 cm
Previously acquired at a UK auction in the 1990s. Acquired from an Oxfordshire antiques centre. Property of a Berkshire, UK, collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Swords and daggers with a square pommel became fashionable in the early 16th century, a Central European fashion. The edges of the present weapon do not ever appear to have been sharpened, so this may have been a parade-piece. -
Luristan Bronze Leaf-Shaped Dagger Blade
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
With a triangular blade flaring to the shoulders and wide midrib, narrow tang with one hole for rivet. 218 grams, 30 cm
Acquired in the 1990s. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
.jpg)
Roman Imperial Bronze Legionary Helmet
Late 1st century B.C.-early 1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39,000
A relatively heavy legionary helmet (cassis) of ‘Imperial Gallic Type’ with deep rounded bowl, simple C-shaped cut-outs for the ears, integral flared horizontal neck-guard extending some way along the sides, two corrugated ribs to the occipital area at the rear, intermitted by two bronze rivets, and four corrugated embossed 'wings' or prominent curved eyebrows flanking three riveted bosses arranged vertically; three studs on the rear of the neck-guard for attaching suspension loops to the preserved clasps of the cheek-guards (bucculae); hinged bracket at each temple once attaching the cheek-guard; embossed beaded brow band running from one ear opening to the other; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.03 kg, 26.5 cm front to back
Ex John Moore, York, UK, 1997. Property of a North London, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no. 12789-240372. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This early category of helmets was characterised by a hemispherical calotte and a slightly sloping neck guard. They were fitted with a pair of prominent curved eyebrows (symbolising the wings of Jupiter's thunderbolts) flanking rivetted bosses.
