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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.
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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 Glass Intaglio with Scenic Group
2nd-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
Ellipsoid in plan with bevelled edge, intaglio frieze depicting an altar with aedus and flames arising; robed human worshipper with votive offering above the flames; flanked by two priapic fauns with hands raised. 10.5 grams, 41 mm
Collected from 1970-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK. -
Large Late Roman Sigma-Shaped Marble Offering Table Top
Eastern Mediterranean, 4th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,900
Semi-circular with raised and slightly everted edge, the top with a recessed area with a funnel-shaped outlet; for votive offerings within a church; restored. 84.5 kg including backplate, 91 cm wide
In general good condition, re-assembled.
Acquired in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Ex David Read collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12080-214035.
Marble tables such as the present example are called in archaeological terms sigma tables, in consideration of their resemblance to the Greek letter sigma. Sigma-shaped tables appeared in the banquet halls at the end of the 4th century and within Christian buildings from the following century. Most of the undecorated slabs were used as liturgical table tops for feasts to honour the deceased. This commemorative practice was known throughout the late Roman world in west and east, where it continued in the daily life of the citizens of the Eastern Roman Empire. In ecclesiastical settings, circular and sigma-shaped tables were used to collect offerings or for celebrating the agape, more generally as secondary furniture, while the rectangular form was preferred for use as an altar. -
Roman Bronze Drunken Silenus Statuette
1st century B.C.-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Modelled nude supporting an amphora of wine on his left shoulder, holding the loop handle in his left hand; the right leg raised stepping forward; mounted on a custom-made stand. 201 grams total, 10.4 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.
