Large Roman Bronze Scales Pan

The god standing nude on an ivy-leaf base in contrapposto pose with right arm extended and hand held palm-outwards; mantle pinned at the right shoulder and wrapped around the bent left arm; the head held erect with soft rounded facial features and luxuriant curls, diadem with radiating spikes representing beams of light; mounting stud to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 583 grams total, 17.5 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 Helios-Apollo intensified in the third century A.D. and the adoration of Sol Invictus, with the radiate crown, was often linked to that of Mithras, the god of legions, whose symbol was the bull. Under Emperor Aurelian, the Sol Invictus became the main god, protector of Rome and the Roman state.

Group of two astragali gaming pieces, each with a lead plug in the central cavity. 34.1 grams total, 29-30 mm



Acquired from Ancient & Oriental, circa 1995. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK.

Comprising a pair of twisted iron bars linked at the centre, loop at each outer end with free-running flat-section ring. 217 grams, 30 cm



Found Billingsgate spoil from the Thames foreshore, London, UK, circa 1984. Property of an Essex collector.