Roman Bronze Bell Collection

With discoid base, angled stem and ridged finial. 26.9 grams, 37 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Comprising a heavy facetted hoop and a wide rectangular bezel set with a tall intaglio of goddess Fortuna or Concordia, standing and holding a cornucopia, and a rudder. 25.07 grams, 23.40 mm overall, 18.18 x 12.80 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H, USA 3 3/4, Europe 6.18, Japan 6)



Acquired on the European art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13340-257983.

The ring belongs to type VI, Variant 1, of the Ruseva-Slokoska classification. These rings, typical of the 3rd century, were often decorated with the image of the Goddess Concordia. Sometimes they show an image of the clasped hands, or bear the inscription HOMONO (Latin), from the Greek omonoa (Concordia = Concord).

Modelled in the round figure standing in advancing pose with the right hand raised and fist clenched; left shoulder and arm covered with the skin of the Nemean lion and left hand modelled hollow; hair cut short and textured. 307 grams, 12 cm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. 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.12515-232159.

There were several cult sites of Hercules in Etruria and old Latium, particularly in the Sabellian region, and the bronze statuettes discovered here exhibit a wide range of styles. Etruscan bronzes of the half-god usually represent him with the lion skin draped over his arm (Metropolitan accession number 96.9.419).