Late Roman Bronze Tweezers

Formed from a single sheet, the ovoid base carinated with plain upper portion, slightly flared lip to the rim. 95 grams, 10.4 cm



Acquired from a private UK collection prior to 1979. Ex Julian Sherrier collection, a leading figure in Gandharan art. with Christie's, New York, sale 2337, 14th September 2010, no.56A (part). Accompanied by the original Christie's lot ticket. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12961-244455.

Tall thin translucent pale green vessel with wide foot and dimpled base, tapering stem and flared rim. 27.6 grams, 12.5 cm



From a London, UK, collection, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Similar bottles were produced in Roman Cyprus, mainly. Hayes had divided the Cypriot products into three classes on the basis of the character of the glass. This example belongs to the third class, i.e. ‘very thin walled pieces in a pale fabric, almost colorless in parts’.

The rider, Mithras-Sabatios, wearing a distinctive knee-length belted tunic and Persian trousers, with a riding cloak secured at each shoulder and the end folded over as a cowl; the left hand gathering the reins and the right extending a patera in offering; the horse surmounting a capital, with its remains preserved beneath the belly; mounted on a custom-made stand. 4.3 kg, 25.5 cm



Private collection, Bavaria, since the 1980s. Anonymous Sale; Gorny & Mosch, 29 June 2011, no.234. Acquired by the present owner at the above sale. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Gorny & Mosch catalogue pages. 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.12965-245245.

The composition closely recalls a small bronze of Mithras on horseback in the J. Paul Getty Museum (Getty Villa), acc. no. 71.AB.160. The rider's Eastern (Persian) costume suggests his identification with Mithras, the focus of a mystery religion which spread among the Roman legions from the 1st century BC onwards. The horse appears to be passing over a column, indicating that the piece likely formed part of a larger furniture mount or architectural fitting. If so, this would be an exceptionally rare representation, as equestrian images of Mithras are markedly less common than the familiar tauroctony.