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LOT 1056
Western Asiatic Crescentic Axehead
1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
7 1/2 in. (146 grams, 19 cm).
A copper-alloy crescentic axehead, both faces with raised border to the upper edge, central pierced arm for attachment to haft; ancient nick to blade; one terminal lost in antiquity.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
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AUCTIONS:
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Migration Period Sword Blade with Agate Pommel
Circa 5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
A two-edged parallel-sided iron blade with broad pointed tip, battle nicks to both cutting edges; accompanied by a discoid agate pommel. 823 grams total, 3.5-83 cm
cleaned and conserved
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. -
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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. -
Western Asiatic Paddle-Shaped Axehead
3rd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
A copper-alloy axehead with roughly lozenge-shaped butt, oblong socket and paddle-shaped cheeks; incised concentric lines following the outline of the butt and flared, projecting knop at the centre. 335 grams, 16 cm
Early 1990s London collection. Acquired on the UK art market. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK.
The axe belongs to subtype H2.J.b of the Gernez classification. These axes are characterised by decoration often executed with remarkable care and technical skill. The enlargement and indentation of the back of the collar varies, whilst the shape of the blade is, by contrast, standardised, with divergent rectilinear edges and a straight cutting edge or, more rarely, a rounded cutting edge, as in the example offered here.
