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LOT 0760
Gemstone Group
ROMAN, CIRCA 1ST CENTURY A.D. AND LATER
3/8 - 5/8 in. (6.97 grams total, 11-15 mm).
Comprising agate, carnelian, jasper and other stones, displaying intaglio busts and scenes including: Hercules wrestling the Nemean lion; female busts in profile; cockerel standing right; seated winged deity; an erotic scene; peacock or other bird; eagle grappling with a snake; two figures, possibly gladiators in combat; each accompanied by a museum-quality impression. [10]
ProvenanceEx property of a Bristol family collection formed between 1960-late 1970s.
Two from a London collection, UK.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Silver-Gilt Military Belt Plate with Hercules Killing the Nemean Lion
4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
Comprising a repoussé panel with the nude hero wearing a mantle and killing the beast, a palm of victory underneath his feet, a dog attacking the lion from above, foliage around the scene; two fixing studs to the reverse; accompanied by a frame. 234 grams total, 53 x 37 mm (13 x 13 cm including frame)
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The belt fitting finds parallels with belt parts from Asia Minor, today in the British Museum, inv. EC 252-254. These kind of plates, decorative and engraved with classical scenes, can possibly be dated to the age of Theodosius I. The quality of decoration can support the thesis that they belonged to the officers of the Comitatus (the Imperial mobile army). -
Roman Bronze Statue Base
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Featuring moulded legs and scalloped lower edge to front face; circular hole to the top; hollow-formed. 556 grams, 14.5 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
Some bronze supports found in the dedication shrines in temples are peculiar: they often have no frames of architectural derivation and have a central hole to the top. These bases seem to have not been intended for statuettes but for objects that may have needed support on a wall due to their height, possibly military standards, numerous fragments of which have been found in the Northern Italian regions. If this hypothesis is correct, this base could confirm the dedication of 'standards' as ex voto, positioned in the temple as a place for the conservation of military insignia. -
Roman Bronze Sitting Bear
1st-4th century A.D.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £333
Formed in the round on a curved base, semi-naturalistic anatomical and facial detailing; circular socket to base of neck and base. 65 grams, 47 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.
