Western Asiatic Bronze Arrowhead Group

Suitable for use with an onager or other catapult-type siege weapon; with smooth, finished surface. 2.13 kg, 11.5 cm



Acquired 1971-1972. From the collection of the vendor's father. Property of a London, UK, collector.

The 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.).

Each a scrolled and angled bar tapering to a gently carinated zoomorphic terminal, formed as a serpent or other animal with stylised geometric detailing; attachment perforations to both terminals. 33 grams total, 70 mm each



Acquired on the London art market, 1980s-1990s.

In the 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D., the Celtic fastening system of the ring mail armour (gallica, lorica ferro aspera) became the standard in the Imperial Roman army, with a pivot attached to the breast and hinged to the edges of the humeralia (shoulder guards). The chest fastener had various different designs. The double hooks, S-shaped and usually with snake-head terminals, were secured by a central rivet on the chest. The system allowed excellent freedom of movement, giving greater protection to the shoulders and the arms. Similar fasteners for infantry mail have been found on the Kalkriese battlefield, some of them also decorated with niello and inscribed with the name of the soldier.

With central barbed spike positioned under the pierced central hole, fitted on both sides with arms having circular shaped eyelet-like protuberances. 29.6 grams total, 54-62 mm



Acquired on the German art market around 2000. From the collection of a South African gentleman.

The prick spur was the first type of spur to be invented, and it consists of a goad or prick, more or less pointed, connected to side arms or a heel plate. They went around the rider’s heel and had a straight post on the back that was used to cue the horse. Often this was sharp, obviously intended to prick the horse, The type here represented seems to be a provincial variant of Roman Imperial prick spur fitted with three eyelets.