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LOT 0629
Late Roman Iron Branding Signaculum
5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
14 3/4 in. (521 grams, 37.5 cm).
Featuring an elaborate monogram composed of Greek letters M and O, supported by decoratively twisted prongs; tapering cylindrical socket.
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
See Baratta, G., 'Roman Signacula / Una particolare categoria di signacula: marchi per legno, pellame ed animali', in Mayer M., Olive, G., Baratta, G., Guzman Almagro, A.(ed.), XII Congressus Internationalis Epigraphiae Grecae et Latinae, Barcelona, 2007, pp.99-108, figs.3,7, for similar stamps.
FootnotesBranding stamps or signacula, in particular those with large single letters, were used for marking livestock to identify the ownership, the breed, the quality and other features of the animal. The signacula were usually made in bronze, but iron examples are also preserved.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0629
Late Roman Iron Branding Signaculum
Estimate £80 - 100€93 - 116 (for guidance only)$108 - 135 (for guidance only)
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Roman Cobalt Blue Glass Flask
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £494
A bulbous bottle with tall neck and everted rim, spiral engraving to the body. 24.9 grams, 10.2 cm high
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Roman Glass Unguentarium
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
With piriform body and flat base, tall neck and everted rim. 19.9 grams, 10.9 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Roman Bronze Figure of Jupiter as Zeus Brontaios
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,680
Depicted nude in contrapposto pose, his weight on his right leg, the left leg flexed and advancing; the hair and beard formed as a dense mass of curls; a full beard complementing his luxuriant curls; slender, muscular body with defined anatomical details; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 384 grams total, 15.5 cm high including stand
with Münzen und Medaillen AG, Basel, 02.1976, lot 51. Acquired in Europe in 2017. Accompanied by copies of relevant pages of Münzen und Medaillen AG. 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.11792-206488.
The prototype of Zeus Brontaios, or Zeus the Thunderer, has been attributed to a Greek original by sculptor Leochares, c. 370-360 B.C. The statue was realised by Leochares to celebrate the founding of Megalopolis, in 371 B.C. The god would have held a sceptre in his left hand and cradled his thunderbolt in his right.