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LOT 1625
Western Asiatic Bronze Dagger Group
2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
8 1/8 - 13 1/4 in. (358 grams total, 20.7-33.5 cm).
With a narrow pointed blade and wide shallow raised flange to the centre, straight sides, well marked shoulders with narrow tang, one rivet hole still preserved in one specimen. [3]
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
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.
See Maxwell-Hyslop, R., 'Daggers and swords in Western Asia: a Study from Prehistoric Times to 600BC,' in Iraq, Volume 8, 1946, pp.1-65, pl.II, type 12.
FootnotesThe type was technically more advanced than previous types of blades in the Near East, owing to the shape of the weapon, with its slightly convex sides widening out near the point, which combined the advantages of the leaf-shaped and straight-sided forms. This kind of dagger was used in the early second millennium in Mesopotamia and in Syria, and as late as the mid-first millennium in Luristan.
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AUCTIONS:
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Cased Luristan Arrowhead Collection
Circa 11th-7th century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Including leaf-shaped and barbed types in a glazed frame. 1.1 kg, 33.5 x 38.5 cm
Ex G. While collection, South Wales, 1980s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Roman 'Consular' Lead Slingshot
1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Fusiform shot with casting nipple at each end, low-relief legend 'COS' to one face. 38 grams, 36 mm
From the collection of a London antiquarian, formed since the 1980s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Roman Julius Caesar 'Battle of Munda' Lead Slingshot
45 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
A biconical facetted lentoid-section lead sling shot (glans), inscription monogram a combination of letters 'C', 'A' and 'E', for 'C A E S' referring to Julius Caesar. 56.8 grams, 45 mm
Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a gentleman collector. 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'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
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 followers of Pompey, the leaders of the Optimates, on the 17th March 45 BC. Similar shots were used in Caesar's wars, and slingers 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.
