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LOT 2147
Bronze Statuette of Mercury
17TH-18TH CENTURY A.D.
9 3/4 in. (1.23 kg total, 24.7 cm including stand).
Modelled standing nude in contrapposto stance, wearing a mantle draped to the left shoulder and secured at the right, small wings embedded in the curly hair, left hand extended in gripping attitude, right hand thrust forward holding a small coin-purse; mounted on a custom-made stand.
ProvenancePrivate collection, England.
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:
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LOT 2147
Bronze Statuette of Mercury
Estimate £1,200 - 1,700€1,390 - 1,970 (for guidance only)$1,620 - 2,300 (for guidance only)
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Roman Style Terracotta Oil Lamp
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
With broad discus, scallop nozzle, low-relief wading bird image; after the antique. 56 grams, 89 mm
Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a North London, UK, gentleman. -
Medieval Style 'Billy and Charlie' Fantasy Pendant
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
By William Smith and Charles Eaton; obverse: robed figure with keys; reverse: two combatants with swords. 78 grams, 95 mm
From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.
"Billy and Charlies", also known as the Shadwell forgeries, refer to a very extensive series of fake antiquities made in Victorian London by William Smith (Billy) and Charles Eaton (Charley). They were mudlarks who searched the Thames for items of value. William Edwards, a London antique dealer, made Billy's acquaintance around 1845, and he met Charley some years later. He paid them for items of interest that they found. Billy and Charley earned money from this until 1857, when they decided to counterfeit antiquities. They cast objects from lead or pewter, cutting dies into plaster of Paris moulds with nails and knives, and bathing the finished items in acid to simulate aging. Their commonest products were medallions, but others included daggers, statuettes, ampullae and even small shrines; as they were both illiterate the inscriptions on many of the objects are nonsense. They sold their forgeries to very prominent collectors of the time who thought they were genuine. Eventually, due to the large volume of objects that were appearing on the market, they were arrested and tried at court though they could not be found guilty of any crime at the time. They were released and carried on producing fakes but their style of manufacture had become well known and they eventually disappeared from history. -
Tudor Period Bronze Ring with Falconer
Circa 16th-early 17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
With facetted shoulders and octagonal bezel, deep incised border enclosing incuse image of a figure supporting a large bird on his wrist. 10.39 grams, 24.74 mm overall, 20.30 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V, USA 10 1/2, Europe 23.77, Japan 22)
Private collection formed since the 1940s. UK art market. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.
