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LOT 1042
Western Asiatic Paddle-Shaped Axehead
3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.
6 1/4 in. (335 grams, 16 cm).
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. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEarly 1990s London collection.
Acquired on the UK art market.
From a private collection, Lancashire, UK.
See Gernez, G., L’armament en métal au Proche et Moyen-Orient: des origines a 1750 av. J.C., Paris, 2007, fig.2.16, pls.86-88, for the type.
FootnotesThe 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.
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Luristan Dagger with Mushroom Pommel
13th century B.C.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
A bronze short dagger with double-edged blade, central rib to both sides, a slender fullered handle with a high conical pommel. 491 grams, 41 cm
UK private collection before 2000. UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.
The sword has a solid cast hilt with a straight horizontal guard. However, its main characteristic is the exaggerated mushroom pommel, which resembles the type dated by Moorey to the end of the 2nd millennium B.C. According to some authors, these swords were produced in Northern Iran and dated between 1400-1200 B.C. -
Roman Sling Shot Group
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
A lentoid-section lead slingshot (glans) specimen group. 185 grams total, 29-34 mm
Found Roding, Essex, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK.
Similar shots were used in the civil war among Pompey and Caesar, and in all of Caesar's wars. The funditores of Caesa'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. -
Roman Legionary Helmet with Inscription
1st century B.C.Estimate: £12,000 - 17,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £6,000
A bronze Montefortino helmet with bulbous domed skull and a plain crest knob with flattened top; plain and flat neck guard with thickened rim; the front with punched Latin inscription 'A N CFN'; the surface largely covered in marine encrustations; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 2.2 kg, 28 cm (4 kg total, 45 cm high including stand)
Private Swiss collection, acquired 2001. 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 searcher certificate no.11576-198953.
This Montefortino specimen belongs to type C or D of Robinson’s classification, also identified under the continental system as Buggenum. The helmets of this category, mainly legionary helmets, were produced in mass by the state to be supplied to the troops fighting in the civil wars of the 1st century B.C. Artistic sources of the same period provide evidence for the use of Montefortino and Buggenum type helmets in sea battles, which has been confirmed by archaeological finds from the Albenga ship. The legionary helmets had inscriptions punched upon them, indicating the name of the wearer and the unit, i.e. cohors, centuria or turma. Here the punched letters 'AN' refer probably to the initials of the owner (Ancus N.?), and 'CFN' to centuria of Fabius C.
