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LOT 1560
Iron Age British Celtic Bronze Cosmetic Implement
CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
2 1/4 in. (22.2 grams total, 58 mm including stand).
A nail-cleaner comprising a flat blade, waisted stem and conical bulb with band of ring-and-dot motifs alternating with double pellets, gusseted bulb and ovoid finial with hatching; mounted on a custom-made stand.
ProvenanceFound East Anglia, UK; before 2000.
Acquired in the 2000s.
From the private collection of John Lawton, Surrey, UK.
Accompanied by a copy of a previous catalogue information page.
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LOT 1560
Iron Age British Celtic Bronze Cosmetic Implement
Estimate £100 - 140€120 - 160 (for guidance only)$140 - 190 (for guidance only)
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Romano-British Enamelled Bronze Mirror Handle
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,080
Flat in section with crescentic upper end and scrolled lower end, the surface formed with symmetrically placed low-relief palmettes, vine tendrils with grapes and foliage, reserved against the field enamelled in green, dark blue and red. 94 grams, 13 cm
Very good condition.
Acquired in the early 1980s. with Edward Smith, USA. From the collection of a Connecticut, USA, collector. with TimeLine Auctions, 23 May 2017, no.251. Private American collection, New York, USA. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11994-210999.
This could be an example of a Romano-British bronze and enamel handle from a mirror or patera, similar to some other existing examples in museums. The shape of the handle is similar to one of the famous pateras from Pompeii. Our specimen is decorated with 'Celtic-style' motifs consisting of a curvilinear scrollwork design of turquoise and blue enamel. A bowl with almost identical enamel work was found in Staffordshire, known as 'The Staffordshire Pan' (WMID-3FE965), while a complete patera was excavated in Amiens (known as the Amiens Patera). -
Iron Age Celtic Bronze Votive Altar with Bull's Head
Circa 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Hollow-formed, trapezoidal in plan with three attachment holes above the thickened rim, three stub feet; broad face with pelletted bands to the edges, high-relief bull's head with fur detailing and whorl to the brow, curved horns. 140 grams, 68 mm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. -
Iron Age Celtic Enamelled Bronze Dragonesque Brooch
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
Plaque with scaphoid terminals formed as head and tail of an S-curved beast, body comprising chequerboard and other geometric enamelled cells; S-curved pin with coiled finial looped around the neck of one terminal. 14.8 grams, 48 mm
Found whilst searching with a metal detector near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, UK, on Sunday 19th November 2023.