Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 1557

Iron Age Celtic Bronze Votive Horse's Head

CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.

1 3/8 in. (12 grams, 34 mm).

With carinated arching neck, crescent 'horns' above the forehead, inset blue glass eyes. [No Reserve]

Provenance

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.

Literature

Cf. Durham, E., Metal Figurines in Roman Britain, vol. 2, Reading, 2010, plates 287, 289, for type.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine 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:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 1557

Iron Age Celtic Bronze Votive Horse's Head

Sold for (Inc. bp): £111

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Iron Age British Celtic Brigantes Bronze Enamelled Box Fitting
    Iron Age British Celtic Brigantes Bronze Enamelled Box Fitting
    1st century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £364

    Possibly the end-panel of a wooden casket, with champ levé enamel scrolls flanking a central palmette within a rectilinear border; Chris Rudd says: 'The S-shaped scroll either side of the central palmette motif is reminiscent of the S-shaped scrolls seen on Lindsey Scyphate gold quarter staters (ABC 1770, 1773), struck by the Corieltavi, close neighbours of the Brigantes.' 37.7 grams, 57 mm



    Found North Yorkshire, UK. Ex Chris Rudd collection, Norfolk, UK; formed since the 1970s. Collection number CE26. Accompanied by a Chris Rudd information card.

    Chris Rudd has collected ancient coins and antiquities since the 1940s. As an amateur archaeologist he found many himself at Badbury Rings, Dorset, 1952-53. He also dug at Hod Hill with Professor Sir Ian Richmond and at Wroxeter with Dame Kathleen Kenyon and Dr Graham Webster. Today he is best known as a Celtic coin dealer. His catalogues have been described as ‘an important research source’ by Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe and ‘treasure houses of delight’ by Dr Anne Ross. Coins and artefacts associated with Chris Rudd – as a collector, dealer and valuer – can be seen in The British Museum and other museums. This collection was formed since the 1970s.

    Lot Details

  • Iron Age Celtic Gold Hair Ring
    Iron Age Celtic Gold Hair Ring
    4th-2nd century B.C.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £975

    Formed as a D-section spiral with one returned terminal and widened segments. 4.57 grams, 17 mm



    Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman.

    Lot Details

  • Iron Age Celtic Sandstone Head
    Iron Age Celtic Sandstone Head
    2nd century B.C.-1st century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £975

    Irregular D-shaped head with reserved 'cap', almond-shaped eyes and slit mouth; pierced vertically from the D-shaped socket at the chin to the top of the head; possibly part of a furnace vent; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 10.65 kg total, 37 cm including stand



    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.

    The cult of the human head was prevalent in the Celtic world, being associated with warding-off evil spirits and bearing of good luck.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list