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LOT 0731
Large Roman Silver Bow Brooch
CIRCA 2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
4 1/8 in. (36.5 grams, 10.5 cm).
With incised foliage detail to the high arched bow and flat head plate with human face and radiating floral pattern engraved on both sides; catchplate and pin-loop to the reverse. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx European collection, 1990s.
Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Accompanied by a dealer's catalogue information card.
Cf. Hoops, I., Fibel und Fibeltracht, Berlin-New York, 2000, p.105 (516), fig.113, no.5, for similar.
FootnotesThe fibula seems to be provincial type, of Romano-Germanic inspiration. This particularly characteristic fibula shape of the Romano-Germanic army, worn probably by the Germanic mercenaries of the Roman army, appeared in the later 2nd and partly at the beginning of the 3rd century A.D., under a form of large bow brooches with various types of head plates or spiral sleeves.
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Roman Silver Ring with Heracles
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Bezel with beaded Heracles modelled in the half-round; hoop split 2.56 grams, 22.32 mm overall, 15.88 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K, USA 5 1/4, Europe 9.95, Japan 9)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Bronze Looped Figural Pendant with Phallus
Circa 1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Composed of three concentric circles surmounted by a bearded figure to which is attached a suspension ring, the body of the figure engraved and ending with phallic attributes. 53 grams, 83 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
Roman military harness included pendants of various typology, ranging from lunules to other decorative elements, often phallic, with the possible intention of protecting the animal. This particular pendant could be connected to the bearded image of the god Priapus. -
Roman Bronze Statuette Head of Apollo
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
With delicately modelled youthful features, thick hair framing the face adorned with a laurel-wreath secured at the rear, traces of silvering to the eyes; ledge base; possibly Apollo the sun-god, or a lar (guardian spirit). 31 grams, 32 mm
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 use of domestic gods continued in the Roman Empire also in later times. Of particular interest is a group of sculptures discovered in the Theodosian Palace in Stobi. The finds consist of marble and bronze statuettes and reliefs that were deposited in one of the ornamental basins located in the peristyle. Four of the smaller bronze sculptures— a lar, Apollo, Venus, and a satyr— may have formed the contents of a lararium. The palace was in use until the 5th century A.D., but the sculptures consists of heirloom and reused pieces dated at 2nd-1st century B.C. However, an unusual feature of this bronze assemblage is the fact that they date overwhelmingly to the 3rd century A.D.
