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LOT 1052
Volga-Bulgar Archer's Arm Guard
CIRCA 10TH-14TH CENTURY A.D.
3 1/2 in. (20.2 grams, 90 mm).
An oval silver plate decorated with an intertwined design formed of flowers inside a double circle framed by a wavy design; pierced to the sides for fastening. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired in the 1990s.
From a North Yorkshire private collection, UK.
Cf. Fedorova, N.V., ‘Volga Bulgaria Silver of the 10th-14th centuries (on materials of the Trans-Urals collections)’ in Compareti, Raffetta, Scarcia, (ed.), Eran ud Aneran, Studies presented to B. Marshak on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday, Venezia, 2006, figs.10-11.
FootnotesDecorated bow string protection plates were developed by Steppe people and widespread among the Volga-Bulgarian warriors, often decorated with niello. These protective plates were fastened with straps on the wrist to protect the lower arm from the blows of the bow tendons. In addition to the bone plaques used by the Khazars, precious silver specimens from the territory of the Volga Bulgars have been preserved, including finds from Zauralia and Western Siberia. A protective plaque decorated with mythological scenes also comes from Bilär (11th-12th century A.D.) Similar plaques with simpler decorations have been found in the region of Prikamye (10th-14th century A.D.).
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Roman Julius Caesar Sling Shot from the Battle of Munda
45 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
A biconical facetted lentoid-section lead sling shot (glans), the inscription monogram a combination of letters 'C', 'A' and 'E', for 'C A E S' referring to Julius Caesar. 62.67 grams, 37 mm
Fine condition.
Found near to an important village site, close to Seville, 1960-1970. From an old Spanish collection. Swiss private collection. Accompanied by a copy of the Spanish export licence. 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'.
The shot (type IIb of the Völling classification) is marked with the abbreviated name of Julius Caesar; it was used in quantity at the Battle of Monda (or Munda) against the last fellows of Pompey, the leaders of the Optimates, on the 17th March 45 BC. Similar shots were used in the civil war among Pompey and Caesar, and in all of Caesar's wars. The funditores 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 very deadly lead-like stones or bullets. -
Migration Period Spatha Sword Blade with Fittings
Circa 4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
A military assemblage comprising: a double-edged spatha with a lentoid parallel-sided iron blade and pointed tip, battle nicks to both cutting edges; long tang with a bronze fastening rivet in situ; oblate chalcedony pommel; gilt copper-alloy chape scabbard fitting with fastening holes and a pair of round scabbard or baldric fittings. 937 grams total, 5-81.3 cm
Fine condition
Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector. 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 a search certificate number no.11587-198852.
Prestigious swords with richly trimmed sheaths, guards and hilts of the Great Migration Period on the Cimmerian Bosphorus are very few, although some specimens have been excavated from Kerch, Phanagoria, Hermonassa and Dzhurga-Oba. They were either custom-made or received as war booty. This sword belongs to a group of spathae of late Roman typology spread among the Germanic and Nomad foederati, and garrison troops of the Northern Black Sea and Bosphorus. -
Marlik Decorated Spearhead
13th-11th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
A bronze spearhead with long blade and broad midrib with incised decoration to each side, rectangular-section bent tang, reinforced shaft with ribbed horizontal bands interspersed with bands of geometric motifs. 329 grams, 32.7 cm
Ex S. Motamed collection. with Bellman's Auctions, 20th-26th June 2015, lot 2482. Property of a London gentleman.
In this category (Type II of the Khorasani typology) the shaft has a tang with a bend towards the end. The blade has three fullers, and the shaft is usually engraved with diagonal lines. Similar pieces were excavated by Dr Negahban in Marlik.
