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LOT 0150
Iron Age Celtic Bronze Boar
1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
1 3/4 in. (27.7 grams, 43 mm).
Modelled couchant or running on two inverted T-shaped mounting lugs, curled tail forming a suspension loop, circular socket to back, stylised detailing to the coat and facial features.
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.
LiteratureCf. Foster, J., Bronze Boar Figurines In Iron Age And Roman Britain, British Archaeological Report 39, 1977, pl.X, for similar.
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
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LOT 0150
Iron Age Celtic Bronze Boar
Estimate £500 - 700€580 - 810 (for guidance only)$680 - 950 (for guidance only)
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Iron Age Celtic Bronze Cruciform Brooch
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
Formed as a facetted cross, each arm terminating in a human mask with helical projection to each temple; the masks depicting a triangular face with lentoid eyes and close-fitting cap; to the reverse, a substantial pin and catchplate; complete. 19 grams, 36 mm
Found Ringstead, Norfolk, UK, 1989. Acquired late 1980s-early 1990s. Private collection, Nottinghamshire, UK. -
Iron Age Celtic Bronze Figure of a Man
Circa 1st century B.C.-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
Formed with right hand raised and left hand on the hip, standing nude, ovate face with impressed eyes and slit mouth; mounted on a custom-made stand. 22.5 grams, 60 mm high (45.6 grams total, 71 mm including stand)
with the Prehistoric Museum, Dingle, Country Kerry, Republic of Ireland, until November 2018. Ex K. Schmidt collection, Cologne, Germany. Accompanied by an Irish export licence, no. 6570. -
Iron Age Celtic Bronze Mirror
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,460
Of tripartite form, comprising: the handle, the main mirror plate and tubular binding edge; the reverse of the mirror plate with traces of volute and spiral decoration, once covering the entire surface, thick applied border; separate handle comprising three fastening lobes and three openwork rings forming the grip, possibly a marriage. 355 grams, 27 cm
Private collection since the late 1990s. Property of an English collector. 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.10603-174116.
Such mirrors were a unique product of the Celts in Britain, during a period between 300 B.C. and 100 A.D., when they were buried in the graves of queens, high-born princesses and other noblewomen, or in treasure hoards. The majority of these graves are dated between 100 B.C. and 100 A.D. Most of the specimens come from Britain (Desborough, Oxfordshire, Old Warden, Shillington, Trelan Bahow, Mayer mirrors), and a few were found in the nearby regions of France or the Low Countries (e.g. the Dordrecht mirror).