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LOT 1514
Romano-British 'Verulanium' Lead Slingshot
2ND CENTURY A.D.
1 3/8 in. (59 grams, 37 mm).
Biconical in profile with reserved 'thunderbolt' motif to two faces; old inked collector's reference '130'. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound near St Albans (Verulamium), UK.
From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Greep, S.J., ‘Lead Sling-Shot from Windridge Farm, St Albans and the Use of the Sling by the Roman Army in Britain’ in Britannia, vol.18. 1987, pp.183-200, fig.2, type 1, fig.7.
FootnotesThe missiles of ovoid shape belong to type Ia of the Völling classification. The sling (funda) with its lead missiles (plumbea pondera or glandae) and stone (lapides) 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. A fold in 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.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1514
Romano-British 'Verulanium' Lead Slingshot
Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
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Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Collection
2nd millennium-9th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Nine arrowheads most of deltoid form, having a sharp flat barbed blade and prominent midrib extending to a long tang; one with head without barbs, but prominent midrib extending to a tang; one with long tang and small pyramidal shape. 149 grams total, 5.4-18 cm
Fine condition.
Formerly from a late Japanese gentleman's collection, 1970-2010. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This type of head was in use from the last centuries of the second through to the early centuries of the first millennium BC, with varieties of barbed heads continuing to be employed for a time after the ninth century BC, during the Neo-Assyrian period. -
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. -
Greek Slingshot with Inscription
4th-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Lentoid in form with raised legend 'AΓOPOY' (maker's name). 35.7 grams, 30 mm
Private collection, Austria. Private collection, Europe. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
