Roman Bifacial Terracotta Forger's Coin Mould

Composed of sections of red and yellow beads separated by green oblate beads, restrung and including some trade-wind beads. 14.2 grams, 63 cm long



Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s.

Hollow-formed life-size club with tubular handle and flared rim, shank with series of regularly-placed knop projections on piriform pads, domed end; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 4.73 kg total, club: 55 cm



Formerly in North American collection, 1990s. From an Austrian collection, acquired in London from UK collector in early 2000s. From a London gentleman's collection, 2000s. 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.12345-225411.

Like the famous statue of Hercules in gilded bronze (the so called Hercules from the Forum Boarium), today at the Capitoline Museums (Palazzo dei Conservatori), this club would have come from a temple dedicated to the Greek hero. The Mastai Hercules, at the Vatican Museum, shows a similar club. The presence of a large handle in our piece confirms that the club was held with the right hand in resting position, and that the typology of Hercules was probably one of the two models.

Tongue-shaped with central repoussé motif of Hercules standing nude on a plinth supporting his club and with lionskin mantle draped over his bent forearm; rectangular frame surrounding; traces of similar frames to both sides; six holes for attachment. 30 grams, 99 mm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

The panel has clearly been cut from a larger sheet of silver which was stamped with figures low-relief figures: to the left of Hercules is a frame with fronds at the top and the bent arms of a figure wearing a palla.