Late Roman Bronze Fire Steel Handle

Body formed as two addorsed putto-heads with long, narrow neck separated from the body by a constriction; funicular mouth. 48.9 grams, 11 cm



Ex Anita Zürrer-Bass (1928-2018), Switzerland, formed 1960s-1990s. Thence by descent. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The body of this type of vessel is formed from two heads joined together at the back. The faces have protruding chins, full cheeks and turned-up noses. The hair, filling the space between the faces, is arranged into spherical curls. This kind of products were often realised in Syrian workshops and widespread across the empire. They are usually dated to the 3rd century A.D.

A life-size bust showing the head turned slightly to the left, an expression of dignity on her face with broad cheeks and pronounced cheekbones, heavy eyelids with narrow eyes, gentle depressions around the full lips; hair arranged in tight curls leaving the ears exposed, small braids gathered and tied at the back with a double thong with two corkscrew curls falling on each side of the neck; the lower part of the neck framed by delicate folds of a tunic, palla covering her left shoulder; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 37.35 kg total, 43.5 cm including stand



Professor Elia Volpi (1858-1938) collection, Florence, prior to 1910. Vente de la Collection Elie Volpi; Hotel de Ventes Jandolo & Tavazzi, Florence, 25 April-3 May 1910, no.53, pl. XCII (illustrated). Private collection, France, likely Château de Beaumesnil, near Rouen. Provenant du Château de Beaumesnil et du Château de T...Objets d'Art et de Bel Ameublement Principalement du XVIIIe, Palais des Congres, Rouen, 20 February 1983. Anonymous sale; Hindman, Chicago, 25 May 2023, no,194. Acquired by the present owner at the above sale. 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.12768-237645. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

This portrait is striking due to the delicate yet exotic features of the subject and her elaborate coiffure. The sculpture was produced during a formative and highly sophisticated phase of Roman art, and during a time when portraits of women are much less common than those from later Imperial times. The preparation for a patch at the back of the head is seemingly ancient. Although she remains anonymous, given the sculpture's scale and scope, one can assume it portrays a person of note, who wished to be represented with the ideal and distinctive features of a Roman aristocrat. For a comparable portrait bust, see Agrippina Minor at the NY Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen (Acc. no.755).

With tapering round-section body and looped ends with knop terminals. 14.4 grams, 89 mm



Acquired on the UK art market during the late 20th century. From the private collection of David King (1940-2024), Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.