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LOT 1107
Roman Marble Ballista Catapult Shot
1ST-3RD CENTURY A.D.
5 1/8 in. (3 kg, 13 cm).
Suitable for use with an onager or other catapult-type siege weapon; with smooth finished surface. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1971-1972.
From the collection of the vendor's father.
Property of a London, UK, collector.
See Wilkins, A., Roman Imperial Artillery, Solway Print, 2017.
FootnotesThe 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.).
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Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger with Stone Pommel
3rd millenium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
Comprising a leaf-shaped blade with broad midrib to both faces, square-section tang and pommel with discoid bronze top displaying a stylised floral or geometric motif with parallel pairs of lines radiating from the centre and a pellet in each segment. 693 grams, 42 cm
Ex old English collection. Acquired from Timeline Originals, UK, 2015. The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
This type of daggers include lanceolate blades with a pronounced piercing and cutting function, often reinforced with a convex stiffening rib or fullers that follow the contour of the blade (Gorelik, 2003, pls. IV, 15-21, 23-25). It is commonly believed that the fullers were designed to drain blood, but this is a misconception; their purpose is to increase the strength of the blade and reduce its weight. -
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Four tanged arrowheads of mainly leaf-shaped types, three with pronounced midribs. 74 grams total, 10.7 - 15 cm
Ex G. White collection, 1990s. -
French Foreign Legion Kepi
Circa 1930-1940s A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Black and red cloth with gold-coloured banding and 'button'; red lining and typed label reading 'Sergent BUYUKISPIR Haluk 1o R.E. Quartier Viénot C.S.L.E./S.I.H.L.E....'. 197 grams, 24.5 cm wide
Acquired from Czerny's Auctions, Italy, lot 104, 2016. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. Accompanied by copy of Czerny's invoice and information.