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LOT 0925
Large Roman Glass Roundel with Lion
3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/8 in. (10.5 grams, 28 mm).
Pale green roundel showing a lion's head in three-quarter view, the beast with open jaws and voluminous mane. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
LiteratureCf. similar heads in Kucharczyk, R., ‘Glass medallion in the shape of a lion’s head mask’ in Classica Orientalia, Essays presented to Wiktor Andrzey Daszewski on his 75th Birthday, Warsaw, 2011, pp. 277-285, fig.1.
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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Roman Voluted Terracotta Oil Lamp
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Piriform in plan with short spout flanked by volutes, segmented shoulder and dished discus, basal ring. 39.4 grams, 91 mm
From a UK private collection since at least 1946. Property of a West London, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Bronze Vessel Handle with Face
1st century A.D.Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £833
Swept in profile, comprising a horizontal crescentic panel to attach to the rim, with inlaid silver detailing, recurved cobra-shaped thumb pad, raised serpent to the outer face of the tapering handle, finial a mask of Bacchus or Pan, facing with volute scrolls to the brow and thick splayed beard; silver diadem and eyes. 110 grams, 14.2 cm
Private collection. with Christie's, London, 11 June 1997, no.97 (part). with Bonhams, 13 April 2000, no.198. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's and Bonhams catalogue pages. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12529-232161.
These handles, which formed a leafy plant element and an S- or T-shaped animal at the top, were usually attached to the belly of the bronze vessel by a human head. In our example, the broad head of the mask, with its broad moustache and beard, characterised by abundant hair, seems to hark back to the iconography of the Sileni or Pan. -
Roman Terracotta Bullae, Tesserae or Token Group
3rd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 35.5 grams total, 16-21 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' refers to a four-sided shape. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term ‘token’ is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets.
