Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0642

Late Roman Silver Double-Bow Brooch

3TH-4TH CENTURY A.D.

1 7/8 in. (9.33 grams, 48 mm).

A silver sprung-prin or proto-crossbow brooch, the two separate bows joining at the top of the foot and above the spring case. [No Reserve]

Provenance

Acquired before 2000.
From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.

Literature

Cf. Behrens, G., ‘Zur Typologie und technik der provinzialrömischen Fibeln’ in Jahrb Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, 1954, pp.220-236, fig.2, no.6, from Worms.

Footnotes

These fibulae were the prototypes from which the crossbow brooch developed. Like crossbow brooch, the structure copmprises two essential parts: the upper part an arched bow and the lower part comprising a fairly long foot with a long and narrow catch-plate.

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine 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:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0642

Late Roman Silver Double-Bow Brooch

Sold for (Inc. bp): £117

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Roman Fragmentary Glass Vessel Group
    Roman Fragmentary Glass Vessel Group
    Mainly 1st-4th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £208

    A mixed group of glass vessel fragments: two pale green bottles with domed bodies and long tubular necks, iridescent surfaces; a rolled vessel foot; a clear glass molar flask (circa 8th-10th century A.D.), and a brown glass vessel with white decorative trails. 320 grams total, 1.7-27.5 cm high



    Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private collection since 1998.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Glass Pilgrims Flask
    Roman Glass Pilgrim's Flask
    Circa 4th century A.D.

    Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £750

    A pale green lentoid glass flask with tubular neck and everted rim; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 252 grams, 22 cm high (481 grams total, 31.5 cm high including stand)



    French collection, 1960s-early 2000s. From an important Paris gallery, France.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Mars Gemstone in Gold Ring
    Roman Mars Gemstone in Gold Ring
    1st-2nd century A.D. and later

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690

    An ellipsoid carnelian gemstone with intaglio figure of Mars wearing a helmet and bearing a cornucopia in one hand and a miniature figure of Victory in the other; set in a later gold ring. 8.93 grams, 21.88 mm overall, 17.70 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)



    Ex Marianne Maspero, 1980. with Pierre Berge & Associes, Paris, France, 16 May 2018, lot 230. English private collection.

    Mars was the ancient Roman god of war and agriculture; the majority of his festivals were held in March, when the season for military campaigning commenced, whilst the season for farming ended. Mars symbolised military power as a method for securing peace and stability and was believed a protective father of the Roman people. In Roman mythology, Mars raped Silvia, thus fathering Romulus and Remus, the famous twins suckled by the She-wolf and founders of the city of Rome. The animals most closely associated with Mars are the woodpecker, wolf and bear.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list