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LOT 1553
Iron Age Celtic Bronze Strap Junction with Animal Face
1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
1 3/4 in. (20.1 grams, 44 mm).
Modelled in the half-round, stylized features, possibly a lion.
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. similar examples in PAS BERK-A940D9, LON-C12241, DOR-54D2DB, NARC-565894, HAMP2961, HAMP-7794C4, and Bushe-Fox, First report on the excavation of the Roman fort at Richborough, Kent, London, 1926, p.47, plate XV, no.29, for similar harness fittings with anthropomorfic or animal head.
FootnotesSuch strap dividers are thought to date to the late Iron Age, to the late 1st century BC or early 1st century AD. They were used from Celts and Romans (or from the Celt Auxiliaries inside the Roman Army) for horse harness and also by the Essedarii (chariot fighters of Celtic origins) for the horses of their chariots in the Roman Circuses.
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Formed as two lateral conical bulbs connected at the base by a plain gusset; each cone with swept profile, the surface of the bulb with heavy facetting; socket to the centre. 23.2 grams, 34 mm
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Iron Age Celtic Bronze Mirror Handle
Circa 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
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). 132 grams total, 46-67 mm
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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.
