Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0127
Marble Statue of a Goddess
ROMAN, 3RD CENTURY A.D. OR LATER
41 in. (146 kg, 104 cm).
Possibly depicting Laetitia, the goddess of joy, standing in a contrapposto pose with left arm resting on an anchor, right arm aloft; wearing a chiton and himation, feet emerging from underneath the hem; lower part of a chignon visible on the back; repaired.
Provenance
From a private French collection.
Acquired in France before 1993.
From the personal collection of Gordon Gridley.
Gordon Gridley was a founding member of the Camden Passage antique dealers’ association. Trading in antiques from the late 1960s, he opened his first shop in 1971 and remained a well-known and respected figure in the antiques world until his retirement.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12087-214012.
Literature
Cf. Burnett, A., ‘The coinage of Allectus: Chronology and Interpretation’ in British Numismatic Journal (54), 1984, pp.21-40, pp.32ff. for legend and figures of the goddess on Roman coins; for Laetitia holding an anchor, see coin types for: Gordian III RIC 300b, Cohen 123; Valerian I RIC 216, Cohen 101, Sear 9944; Tacitus RIC V-1 144; Allectus RIC 22, Sear 13811; Carausius RIC V-2; Gallienus RIC 79, Cohen 420, Goebl 46p, Sear 10124; Victorinus Calico 3825, cf Elmer 706 a; Florian Rome 34 var; Estiot 2475-2487, ric.mom.fr, 4220; Carinus RIC V-2, 261, Sear 12349; Quintillus Sear 11444.
CONDITIONVETTING:
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.
RELATED LOTS
-
Roman Bronze Goddess Applique
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,300
The goddess Tyche or Cybele with a facing female bust wearing a mural crown, braided hair cascading to the sides, high-relief lenticular eyes, and small slit mouth, two iron fixing rivets; the lower part with detailed necklace of pendants, catena decorative chain, lateral braids, ferrous fixture; old collector's label 'BR.APP.064' to verso; repaired and mounted on a custom-made display stand. 3.66 kg total, 20.5 cm including stand
Private collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent.
The crown that characterises the bronze applique (corona muralis = wall crown) was a military decoration using symbolism from the Hellenistic age. Often associated with Tyche (Fortuna), the crown was also an attribute of the goddess Cybele, particularly when made of wood. However, the presence of a necklace similar to a late Roman statuette of Tyche at the Metropolitan Museum of Art seems to point more to the first identification. This bronze applique was probably used as decoration for a chariot used in a procession for the goddess, or as a furniture decoration. -
Roman Redware Pottery Sherd with Olive Tree
Circa 4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Comprising a large edge section with impressed olive tree, with details of branches, fruit and foliage. 87 grams, 17 cm
Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
The representation of an olive tree on this sigillata is not casual. In the early Imperial period the export of the Adriatic olive oil, following the amber road, moved from Aquileia to the provinces of Roman Pannonia. During the 3rd century, the production of the Spanish olive oil reached the Northern Roman provinces. Olives were transported in particular amphorae and served with specific vessels, distinguishing the black olives (olivae nerae) from the white olives (olivae albae). -
Roman Bronze Mask Appliqué
2nd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
With rounded fleshy face and hair in tiered bands, sockets to the eyes to accept silver inserts; diadem to the brow with foliage detailing; hollow to the reverse. 56 grams, 42 mm
Private collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent.