Late Roman Gold Bracelet for a Baby

Mixed group including a vine-leaf plate brooch, repaired P-shaped bow brooch, and silver coin of Constantine and another. 39.1 grams total, 17-69 mm



From a Suffolk collection. Property of a Scottish collector, acquired in 2013.

Squat jar with concentric rings to the base, flared rim to the mouth three high-relief galley images to the shoulder. 166 grams, 43 mm high



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.

The vase evokes a scene of maritime or river trade, usually linked to navigation on the Rhine or on the great rivers of Roman Gaul. In particular, the shape of the ship and the three people only half visible on its deck closely resemble the famous relief of the wine merchants of Neumagen-Dhron. The small jar was probably for domestic toilette use.

Life-size bull's head (bucranium) on a rectangular field with flattened upper face and small ledge overhang; modelled in the half-round with detailed eyes, muzzle and dewlap, plain background; tooled texture to the forehead and dewlap; Eastern Empire. 98 kg, 51 cm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. 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.12081-213373.

The bucranium was used as a prominent motif on the exterior of Graeco-Roman temples where it replaced the use of genuine severed heads from the sacrificial rites. Garlands were draped over the heads on feast-days and occasions of special religious observance. The flattened upper face suggests an architectural use, perhaps as a corbel.