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LOT 0779
Late Roman Bronze Tweezers
4TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
2 3/4 in. (7.68 grams, 70 mm).
Formed as two narrow flat-section arms with transverse ribbing, chamfered edges and impressed point ornament. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a private Tyneside collection, formed since the early 2000s.
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 Face Artefact Collection
1st-3rd century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £182
Including ring bezel with glass insert, face bead, and other types. 21 grams total, 14-29 mm
with Archaeologia, Switzerland, before 1983. Ex private North American collection. London private collection, 2016. -
Roman Deep Blue Glass Bead Necklace String
1st-4th century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £78
A restrung group of oblate and other types with an irregular pendant centrepiece, with some 'Indo-Pacific' beads. 12.62 grams, 37 cm
London, UK, collection, 2000s. -
Roman Bronze Phallic Dagger Quillon or Pendant
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £40
With a rectangular plaque with central void, phallus to one short edge and a stylised fist to the other. 25.5 grams, 55 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
In the Roman world the phallus was symbol of luck or fertility, and it as well was believed to have apotropaic functions. Pendants, amulets and small objects were worn by all sorts of people as symbols of protection, especially from young children according to Varro and Pliny the Elder. The phallus is commonly found on reliefs, frescoes and lamps from the Graeco-Roman world. This object can have been the quillon of a small dagger, but also hung as a charm from a tintinnabulum, a wind chime adorned with bells and intended to ward off evil.
