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LOT 1564
Iron Age Celtic Bronze Mirror Handle
CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
1 3/4 - 2 5/8 in. (132 grams total, 46-67 mm).
Two fragments from a decorative mirror handle comprising a portion of the shank formed as two loops joined by a transverse disc, and a bifacial finial with volute scroll enclosing three domed discs (reversed and three round sockets for enamelled studs (obverse). [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom 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.
Cf. similar in the British Museum under accession no.1981,0504.1.
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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Iron Age British Celtic Bronze Cosmetic Implement
Circa 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
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. 22.2 grams total, 58 mm including stand
Found 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. -
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). -
Late Iron Age Celtic Enamelled Bronze Brooch Set
Circa 3rd-5th century A.D.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,500
An Eastern European necklace and pendant set comprising: two trapezoidal openwork plaques with loops to the rear with red and white enamelled panels and bar with rings; two rectangular openwork plaques with red enamel geometric detailing, lateral square-section bells; C-shaped openwork collar with red enamel panel supporting a crescentic plaque with white enamelled discoid centre and transverse bar, two pendant discoid plaques with lateral lugs and openwork red-enamelled pendant discs with T-shaped radiating lugs; set in a custom-made velvet-backed display frame. 4.3 kg, 74 x 38 cm
Acquired on the German art market before 2000. From an old German, Munich, collection. From the private collection of John Lawton, Surrey, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12057-214201.