Roman Bronze and Other Medical Implement and Pin Collection

Hollow-formed with fine detailing to the fingers and nails; with fixing points for a military standard (signum) used by each unit under a centurion, originally fixed with the palm facing forwards inside a wreath. 718 grams, 21 cm

Generally intact and good defined, except for the lower part.

Acquired in Europe before 2000. European private collection. 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 a search certificate number no.12003-211851.

Roman military signa decorated by phalerae and surmounted by a right hand were used from the Late Consular Age. The hand (manus) symbolised the fides, i.e. the allegiance between the soldiers and the Res Publica. It is also possible that the hand belonged to a statue in which it was extended as a sign of silence, to allow the speaker to speak. However, the iconography of military hands, and also the resemblance with a bronze hand (military signum) preserved in the Vindonissa museum (Windisch), support the possibility that the object was part of a military standard.

Standing nude figure of a warrior with left hand extended, pierced to accept the grip of a shield, right hand raised, pierced to accept the shaft of a spear; mounted on a custom-made stand. 117 grams total, 82 mm including stand



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Squat hexagonal-section jar with pinched angles, flared mouth and rolled rim. 64 grams, 96 mm



From an important London, UK, collection, 1970-1990s.