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_900x900.jpg "Iron Age Celtic Sandstone Head")
_200x200.jpg "Iron Age Celtic Sandstone Head")
.jpg "Iron Age Celtic Sandstone Head")
LOT 0364
Iron Age Celtic Sandstone Head
2ND CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
8 5/8 in. (5 kg total, 22 cm high including stand).
Carved in the round as a male head with triangular chin and jaw, broad square brow, lentoid eyes, reserved scrolled ears; mounted on a custom-made stand. [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. Petch, M., Celtic Stone Sculptures, London, 1989, fig.1, for type.
FootnotesThe cult of the human head was prevalent in the Celtic world, being associated with warding-off evil spirits and bearing of good luck.
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 Coiled Silver Bracelet Pair
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,300
Comprising a matched pair, each a keeled band with round-section finials formed as coiled bosses and linked loops forming a Hercules' knot at the centre, the ends coiled around the band. 101 grams total, 73-74 mm
Acquired in the early 1970s. Ex property of a Surrey collector. From the Horton collection, UK. -
Iron Age Celtic Sandstone Head
2nd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
Carved in the round as a male head with triangular chin and jaw, broad square brow, lentoid eyes, reserved scrolled ears; mounted on a custom-made stand. 5 kg total, 22 cm high 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. -
Iron Age Celtic Bronze Strap Junction with Animal Face
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Modelled in the half-round, stylized features, possibly a lion. 20.1 grams, 44 mm
‘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.
Such 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.
