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LOT 0557
Eastern Roman Bronze Dragon Head Finial
LATE 1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
2 in. (17 grams, 51 mm).
Modelled in the round with naturalistic detailing, probably a ladle finial.
Provenance‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.
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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Roman Marble Eagle Head
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Carved facing left, with deep-set hooded eyes and a hooked beak, stylised feather detailing to the head; mounted on a custom-made display base. 1.88 kg total, 23 cm high including stand
Ex Simmons Gallery, London E11, UK. Ex London collection, 1980s-1990s.
In the Greco-Roman world, the eagle was the symbol of Zeus. It is most probable that this eagle flanked a statue of the god. A story is bruited abroad to the effect that Zeus, wanting to determine the centre of the world, let eagles fly of equal speed from west and east. The birds, flying in opposite directions, met at Pytho and that marked the central point of the whole world. -
Roman Bronze Tortoise Figure
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
Modelled in the round with semi-naturalistic detailing, head raised and turned slightly to the right. 30.1 grams, 37 mm
Ex UK private collection. Acquired at the London Coin Fair in the early 1990s. Property of a Buckinghamshire, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Bronze Seated Upright Mouse Statuette
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Modelled with naturalistic detailing standing as if nibbling at food held between the forepaws, on a circular base. 52 grams, 36 mm
‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.
