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LOT 0706
Late Roman Bronze Bird Terminal
4TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
3 3/4 in. (80 grams, 95 mm high).
Modelled in the round with stylised wing, tail and eye detailing, notched tuft to head, standing on a discoid base with tapering square-section lug below.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of an EU gentleman formed in the early 2000s.
Acquired on the UK market.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Bronze Knife Handle with Boar's Head
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
The stylised boar's head projecting from the terminal of the tapering rectangular-section handle, two registers of incised ornament to both broad faces and 'scale' detailing to the narrow edges. 19.2 grams, 50 mm
‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection. -
Roman Bronze Statue Base
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Featuring moulded legs and scalloped lower edge to front face; circular hole to the top; hollow-formed. 556 grams, 14.5 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
Some bronze supports found in the dedication shrines in temples are peculiar: they often have no frames of architectural derivation and have a central hole to the top. These bases seem to have not been intended for statuettes but for objects that may have needed support on a wall due to their height, possibly military standards, numerous fragments of which have been found in the Northern Italian regions. If this hypothesis is correct, this base could confirm the dedication of 'standards' as ex voto, positioned in the temple as a place for the conservation of military insignia. -
Roman Bronze Bust of a Noble Lady
2nd century A.D.Estimate: £700 - 900 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £350
Modelled in the round with semi-naturalistic facial features and hair style with centre parting and tied in a chignon at the nape, detailing to the folds in the fabric of her garment; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 425 grams total, 11 cm high including stand
Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
This bust probably served as a weight. The head of the sculpture is slightly turned up to the left, with a serious expression. The small sculpture could represent a bacchante or maenad, even if there are no visible iconographic elements directly linked to the cult of Dionysus.