Roman Bronze Baboon Statuette

With carinated hoop, elliptical bezel. 3.62 grams, 20.42 mm overall, 15.13 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H 1/2, USA 4, Europe 6.81, Japan 6)



Acquired from Den of Antiquity, Cambridgeshire, UK. Ex private Merseyside, UK, collection.

Comprising five with round-section bodies and squared terminals; the surfaces decorated with engraved lines and dots. 68 grams total, 64-65 mm



From the family collection of a Surrey gentleman since before 1960.

Bracelets were worn in Rome by ladies of rank, but it was considered a mark of effeminacy for civilian men to use such female ornaments (Suetonius, Caligula, 52; Nero, 30). The armillae (or psellia in Greek) were rings and bracelets worn by women in the Graeco-Roman world on both legs and arms. Homer mentions them (elikas) as being part of the hairstyle of the divine Aphrodite, thus giving an almost sacred character to these objects. There were different types, the most common consisting of a more or less thick metal wire, or a flat or cylindrical circle, like our examples.

Pale green colour with broad rounded shoulder tapering to a rounded base, cylindrical neck and everted rim, applied scrolling handles; iridescent surfaces. 31 grams, 97 mm high



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.