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LOT 1479
Roman Pompey the Great 'Battle of Munda' Lead Slingshot
1ST CENTURY B.C.
1 5/8 in. (43.6 grams, 40 mm).
Biconical lead slingshot (glans) with inscription in Latin letters 'CN' (Cneius) 'MAG' (Magnus) on one side, and 'IMP' for 'IMPERATOR' (victorious general) to the other side, i.e Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus Imperator (Pompey the Great the victorious general). [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK art market.
Property of a gentleman collector.
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 a similar glandes from Zaragoza Museum, the one with the name of Pompey inscribed coming from Munda battlefield.
FootnotesThe shot (Völling type 1C) is marked with the abbreviated name of Gnaeus Pompey; it was used in quantity at the Battle of Monda (or Munda) against Julius Caesar, 17th March 45 BC. The projectiles were made of different materials: lead (glandes) or in pottery or stone (lapides missiles). Sometimes they were signed with the name of the general, like our specimen.
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:
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LOT 1479
Roman Pompey the Great 'Battle of Munda' Lead Slingshot
Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
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Luristan Iron Socketted Axehead
1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Narrow blade with rounded cutting edge, rectangular-section neck and round socket with extension below; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 259 grams, 17.5 cm (435 grams total, 20.5 cm wide including stand)
Ex London, UK, gallery, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Elaborate Canaanite Bronze 'Anchor' Axehead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £450
Comprising a deep crescentic blade with two spurs at each end intended to brace against the haft, narrow neck and flared socket with vertical spurs to the reverse and knop finial. 305 grams, 11.2 cm wide
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Greek and Other Bronze Arrowhead Collection
Circa 5th-3rd century B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £56
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.