Roman Bronze Aussica Brooch

Of biconical form and bearing an engraved letter 'C' to the top face; slightly concave base; iron handle showing some corrosion. 30.3 kg, 35 cm wide



Ex Gorny & Mosch 11th July 2006, auction 150, lot 543. East Anglian private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.199905.

The letter C likely represents the Roman numeral Centenarius, or 100 Roman lbs.

Comprising: one shallow circular platter, one oval-shaped with lobed handles decorated with a flowering plant with scrolling leaves; both cracked. 1.4 kg total, 29.5-45 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Modelled in relief with openwork elements, stylised detailing to both figures; hollow reverse. 182 grams, 10.2 cm high



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Hollow cast bronze images of Eros riding a lion are linked to the Eastern Levant and have been found for example in Tamna, probably a Roman import. The importance of the long-distance contacts within the Eastern Mediterranean areas was rapidly reflected in provincial artistic styles, probably as soon as in Hellenistic times, at the beginning of the third century B.C., possibly even earlier. The unquestionable Greek influence led a number of scholars to define three main styles for the bronzes discovered in the eastern Roman provinces: a local type and iconography locally produced, Greek or Roman imports, and Oriental, Hellenistic, or Roman style, locally produced.