Loading, please wait...
_900x900.jpg "Celtic Limestone Bust of a Bearded Man")
_200x200.jpg "Celtic Limestone Bust of a Bearded Man")
_900x900.jpg "Celtic Limestone Bust of a Bearded Man")
_200x200.jpg "Celtic Limestone Bust of a Bearded Man")
.jpg "Celtic Limestone Bust of a Bearded Man")
.jpg "Celtic Limestone Bust of a Bearded Man")
LOT 0297
Celtic Limestone Bust of a Bearded Man
1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
22 in. (76 kg, 56 cm).
Modelled in the round with raised almond-shaped eyes, raised forehead connected to a long nose, raised mouth turned downwards, large ears and short beard around the jawline; long hair tied to the back secured with a headband.
ProvenanceEx John Moor, York, UK; thence by descent.
with Rupert Wace, 2018.
Private collection, UK.
A head from Marseille carved in relief with a comparable shaped face, implied integral socle and of seemingly similar character is illustrated in Paul Jacobsthal, 'Early Celtic Art' (reprinted Oxford, 1969), plate 6, fig. 7; a veiled female head found at Entremont in France also shares some common features; see M. Pobe, 'The Art of Roman Gaul: A Thousand Years of Celtic Art and Culture', London, 1961, p. 55, no. 39; for a discussion of these enigmatic heads, see J. Billingsley, 'A Stony Gaze: Investigating Celtic and Other Stone Heads', Taunton, 1998.
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.
LOT 0297
Celtic Limestone Bust of a Bearded Man
Estimate £20,000 - 30,000€23,200 - 34,800 (for guidance only)$27,000 - 40,500 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£10,000 (EUR 11,600; USD 13,500) +BP*
-
Celtic Iron Adjustable Type Bracelet
Iron Age, circa 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Estimate: £40 - 60 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
A length of square-section wire with the ends looped around the shank to form an adjustable closure. 21.67 grams, 92 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Celtic Bronze Adjustable Type Bracelet Pair
Iron Age, circa 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Estimate: £60 - 80 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Each a length of square-section wire with the ends loosely looped around the shank to form an adjustable closure. 16.2 grams total, 73-79 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Iron Age Bronze Helmet Ornament in the Form of a Bull's Horn
Celtic, 4th-1st century B.C.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
Decorative attachment in the form of a bull’s horn, curving and ending in a spherical knob with a notched underside; a torus collar at the horn's lower end, with a square cross-section below it; a conical disc at the base with three perforations for attachment; mounted on a custom-made stand. 161 grams total, 22.5 cm including stand
Ex private South German collection, 1970s. with Hermann Historica, Auction 66, 6 May 2013, no.2363. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13523-263141.
Numerous examples of Celtic helmets adorned with horns are known. Amongst these, there are several parallels for the specific shape of the bull’s horn presented here. An interpretation as a helmet ornament therefore appears plausible, especially in view of the size of our object.
