Loading, please wait...
LOT 1577
Western Asiatic Stone Macehead
3RD-2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
3 in. (342 grams, 75 mm).
Tubular in form with tapering profile and balustered socket.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a London, UK, gentleman, 1990s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Cf. Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003, in Russian, see pl.XXXI, no.30, from Armenia, for similar.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Iron Age Celtic Iron La Tene Sword with Scabbard
250-120 B.C.Estimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £600
Comprising a double-edged sword, the blade terminating in a round point, a shallow groove running along both sides of the blade, lozenge-section grip with four edges; supplied with a curved guard and a small cylindrical pommel; the scabbard with edged borders and the slide scabbard for the fastening of the suspension chain. 1.06 kg total, 64-76 cm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The sword belongs to the period of the last Celtic deeds in Europe, when their warriors succeededin sacking the Holy Sanctuary of Delphi in Greece. Livy, based upon the text of Polybius generically speaks of 'Gallica arma' and 'ferrum', the latter synonymous of a sword (Livy, XXI, 42, 1-4). Diodorus tells us that the swords were worn by the Celts on the right side, hanging from a belt tied around his waist and were not carried hanging from a baldric over the shoulder like the Greeks or the Etruscans (V, 30, 3). He describes (V, 29 and 30) the fighting techniques of the Celts (combat chariot) and a list of all the weapons used: shields as tall as a man which exhibit embossed figures of animals in rolled brass with both decorative and protective function; the brass helmets with high crests, horns, or with figures of birds and quadrupeds to the top; a chainmail armour in iron; long swords hanging from the right side by means of iron and bronze chain; spears; javelins; war trumpets with hoarse sounds; and gold or silver plated belts. -
Greek Lead Impacted Slingshot Group
3rd-1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Three lentoid-section lead slingshots (glandae), each deformed due to impact, one with the Greek letters 'ΓΕΜ…ΔΑ' (Ghemonidas?). 118 grams total, 25-31 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The use of lead slingshots in battle is attested in Greece as early as the 5th century B.C. Numerous finds were excavated in Olynthus, usually olive or plump-almond-shape. The type continued to be used in the Italian peninsula, and similar specimens, bearing the title ‘Commander of the Units of Slingers’ have been attested from the period of the Punic Wars. -
Royal Engineers Officer's Cap
1938-1945 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
Army Cap No.1 - British Army, Royal Engineers Officers' Dress Cap with Royal Engineers gilt badge fitted, 'G.D. Golding' maker's label inside; side buttons silver-coloured with Gurkha regiment insignia. 280 grams, 28.5 cm
From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.