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LOT 0873
Late Roman Silver Crossbow Brooch with Mechanical Catch
CIRCA 4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.
2 1/4 in. (16.32 grams, 59 mm).
With tubular arms, three later agate cabochons, each with a tremolier decorated cell, hinged pin to the reverse, deep bow with tremolier detailing, rectangular foot with notched edges, applied granule and filigree ornament, triangular-section catch to the reverse with sliding mechanism. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx property of a gentleman; acquired in the late 1960s-early 1970s.
LiteratureCf. Hattatt, R., Iron Age and Roman Brooches, Oxford, 1985, item 499, for type.
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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LOT 0873
Late Roman Silver Crossbow Brooch with Mechanical Catch
Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
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Roman Footed Amber Glass Cup
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
Comprising a deep body with a wide, upturned rim; applied conical foot. 100 grams, 11.3 cm wide
Previously from a German private collection. Acquired Sotheby's, London, 13 & 14 July 1981, no.482 (illus). From a private Wiltshire, UK, collection. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Sotheby's catalogue pages. -
Late Roman Bronze Tweezers
4th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Formed as two narrow flat-section tapering arms with transverse ribbing and ring-and-dot ornament. 7.88 grams, 68 mm
From a private Tyneside collection, formed since the early 2000s. -
Bronze Figure of a Zebu Bull
Roman Imperial Period, 2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,700
Modelled in the round in alert pose with head raised and slightly turned; hair texture to the forehead, neck and shoulders; mounted on a custom-made stand. 2.3 kg total, 20 cm including stand
Art market, Bavaria, 1990s. with Christie's, New York, 7 December 2011, no.188. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate, no.S00122050. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12962-245248.
After the Roman annexation of Egypt, Egyptian cults such as that of the Apis bull were syncretised, becoming part of a distinctively Egyptian form of Roman polytheism. Representations of prancing Apis bulls, turned either left or right, have been found throughout the Roman Empire. However, it is also possible that this beautiful statuette is connected with the cult of Jupiter Dolichenus, where the armed god is usually standing upon a bull.
