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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.
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 Celtic Bronze Bull's Head Mount
Circa 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Modelled in the half-round with hatched fur detailing to the forehead, tiers to the horns. 46 grams, 41 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 Decorated Gold Ring
Circa 2nd-1st century B.C.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £425
Comprising a penannular hoop with tapering ends and panels of rib detailing. 2.42 grams, 22.15 mm overall, 18.58 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)
Acquired on the European art market in the 1980s. Ex property of a professional collector. From the private collection of John Lawton, Surrey, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a previous cataloguing information page. -
Iron Age Celtic Gold Ring
2nd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
Comprising a D-section hoop with coiled terminals wound around the shank. 3.44 grams, 22.84 mm overall, 19.27 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)
Acquired in the 2000s. From the private collection of John Lawton, Surrey, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a previous cataloguing information page.
