Late Roman Bucchero Jug

The lower body decorated with raised 'pimples'; shallow kick-up; iridescent surfaces. 15.9 grams, 58 mm

Fine condition.

Ex private collection, 1980s. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s.

Displaying a figural scene in relief showing the Dioscuri, wearing a crested helmet and raising the right arm in salutation; the bust of Sol wearing a radiate crown and the horned bust of moon surmounted by a crescent, border to the perimeter representing two snakes; the inner border with seven six-pointed stars, a large dolphin-like creature swimming to the right, to the left a group of round objects; to the right of the left hand rider, a three-legged offering table with three candle-sticks; between the sun and the moon a standing female deity dressed in peplos and chiton, facing right with her right arm raised in front of her; behind the moon a bird waddling to left; to the right of the left hand rider, a cockerel; beneath the horse’s hooves two prostrate figures lying face down, head to the right and left, the right figure with the left knee bent in supplication; at the centre, between the two horsemen, a standing female deity in long chiton (Helen of Troy); behind the right horse, a standing male figure facing left with his right hand raised in salutation, wearing a knee length tunica, short boots and a heavy cloak; on the lower margin a small prostrate figure with head to the right, limbs extended, a twin-handled wine cup, a standard surmounted by a lamp, a figure hanging head down from a stunted tree and a lion stalking left. 61 grams, 70 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

The plaque contains a complex iconography of divine figures and symbols, probably associated with Thracian or Dacian beliefs of the Lower Danube region, but also with the Greek myth of the divine twins Castor and Pollux (the Dioscuri), an important element of Roman religion since its origins, here mixed with the cult of the Danubian rider. Presiding over the whole scene is usually the Sol Invictus (the unconquered sun-god) and his sister the Moon (Selene).

Comprising: an iron Alesia-type brooch with deep tapering bow, long foot with recurved integral knop, curled hinge; the type of Gaulish origin; mounted on a custom-made display panel stand with Hattatt collection description and further information on a label to the reverse; inked collection number to the reverse of the bow; the other a bronze trumpet brooch with moulded arc decorations on the head, sprung pin moving freely, tapering body with acanthus motif; horizontal ribbing and zigzag motifs, plain underfoot; retaining swivel chain loop with traces of red enamel; collection number to the reverse of the bow. 25.6 grams total, 63-70 mm (82 grams total, 85 mm high including stand)



Alesia type found near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK; trumpet type found in Northamptonshire, UK.

Hattatt remarks of the Alesia brooch: 'In remarkably fine condition for iron, this could well have been worn by one of the Roman invaders.'