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LOT 0778
Roman Bone Dice
1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.
3/8 in. (2.21 grams, 11 mm).
Cuboid with ring-and-dot markings disposed 1:6, 2:5, 3:4. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s.
From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman.
See Beutler, F. et al., Der Adler Roms. Carnuntum und der Armee der Cäsaren, Bad-Deutsch Altenberg, 2017, item 724, 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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Life-Size Roman Bronze Club from a Statue of Hercules
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £16,900
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. -
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Roman Glass Janus Flask
Circa 1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £556
Formed as two addorsed heads with a short cylindrical neck and flaring mouth; both heads with abundant hair framing the face. 57 grams, 99 mm high
Formerly in North American collection, 1990s. Ex Lyon and Turnbull, Edinburgh, Scotland. -
Roman Silver Snake-Headed Armilla Bracelet
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
With narrow round-section shank, flattened leaf-shaped finials with transverse ribbing and punched serpent-head detailing. 6.57 grams, 49 mm
Private collection, Arundel, West Sussex, UK, 1980s-1990s.
The armilla was a Roman military decoration in the form of an arm-ring or bracelet, often with snake-head terminals. They were made in gold, silver or bronze, the latter normally awarded to the lower ranks as a visible mark of distinguished service.
