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LOT 0760
Large Eastern Roman Bronze Bust-Shaped Steelyard Weight
CIRCA 3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D. OR LATER
5 1/4 in. (4.2 kg, 13.5 cm high).
Modelled in the round as a facing female with head turned slightly right, with semi-naturalistic facial detailing and dressed hair; lead-filled.
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
See Biddle, M. & Henig, M., A Jupiter temple (?) outside the west gate of Venta Belgarum and the development of Winchester’s western suburb, London, 2018; Allason-Jones, L. & Miket, R., Catalogue of Small Finds from South Shields Roman Fort, Gloucester, 1984.
FootnotesSteelyard weights in the form of human or deities' faces were not uncommon in the Roman period (see SWYOR-DA4426, OXON-4391B5, HAMP-BD4D67 and NARC-7A7B81 on the PAS). These were generally filled with lead and had iron or copper suspension loops projecting from the top of the head.
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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LOT 0760
Large Eastern Roman Bronze Bust-Shaped Steelyard Weight
Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
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Roman Bronze Statuette of Minerva
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,105
Modelled in seated pose, wearing a stylised Corinthian helmet, breastplate with gorgoneion motif, draped stola; right hand extended to support a patera, left hand raised holding the shaft of a spear (absent); hollow to the reverse underside; repaired; mounted on a custom-made stand. 717 grams total, 91 mm 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. -
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Roman Agate Cameo of Augustus in Later Mounting
1st century A.D.Estimate: £30,000 - 40,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £15,000
Ellipsoid cameo with profile portrait bust in gold pendant frame with surrounding cabochons: emerald, sapphire, ruby - and clusters of pearls; marked to reverse '750', in a rectangle 'B&G' (believed to be an upstate New York jeweller's stamp) and an indeterminate third mark; supplied with a custom-made display stand. 99 grams total, 92 mm including stand, pendant: 50 mm
American collection, early 20th century, New York. with Robert Haber Gallery, New York, 1990. Ex Jean Clostre, Geneva, Switzerland. Accompanied by an scholarly report by Dr Ittai Gradel. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12223-222312.
Dr Ittai Gradel says: 'The cameo, of exquisite technical quality, has a close parallel in the Cabinet des médailles, Paris .. The Timeline auction cameo is not, however, an exact copy .. though details are so close to the larger Paris cameo that the same gem carver, or at least workshop, probably produced both.' -
Roman Marble Relief Fragment with Phaethon
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
Portion of a carved frieze with reserved border to the upper edge; panel with high-relief carving of youthful Phaethon in profile with mantle and himation, mop of curly hair, right arm extended holding reins extending to the mane of the horse at the right edge; drilled to accept mounting pegs. 1.05 kg, 17.2 cm
Private UK collection. Acquired in the 1980s. Property of a Cambridgeshire gentleman.
In the story, which appears in several versions, Phaethon was the son of Helios the sun-god who asked to validate his parentage by driving his father's chariot. Helios tried to dissuade him, but the youngster would not listen and eventually managed to take control, but was unable to master the horses and the celestial vehicle veered out of control - too close to the ground where it started fires and then too distant so that the ground froze. Eventually, Zeus took remedial action and hurled a thunderbolt, which killed the boy. His dead body fell into the river Eridanus, and his sisters, the Heliades, were turned to black poplar trees while they mourned him.
