Loading, please wait...
LOT 0880
Roman Bronze Bird-Headed Dress Pin
CIRCA 4TH CENTURY A.D.
6 1/8 in. (32.9 grams, 15.5 cm).
Substantial pin with slight bulb below the finial formed as a stylised bird modelled in the round with bulbous head and eyes, lobed tail. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom 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.
See Corbet Anderson, J., The Roman City of Uriconium, London, 1867, p.79ff, for discussion.
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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Roman Mask of Medusa
3rd century A.D.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
Modelled in the half-round, facing mask with lateral hanks of curly hair, two small wings above the brow, farme beneath the chin; slot to the reverse for attachment. 179 grams, 59 mm
Acquired on the German art market, 2002. European private collection. -
Roman Bronze Wild Boar Chariot Fitting Pair
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
Matched pair of chariot fittings, each formed as the head and forelegs of a boar with open mouth and prominent tusks, developing to a crescentic square-section body with knop finial, supported on a column and square-section tiered base; mounted on custom-made display stands. 1.13 kg total, 22.5 cm high including stand
Ex Ancient Art, North London, UK. 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. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12058-212073.
The fittings were possibly part of a decoration of a Thraco-Roman chariot. Sometimes the ends of the yokes were covered with bronze toppers geometrically shaped or decorated with figures of a lion, a wild boar (our example), a goat, etc. Often, instead of these toppers, there were the so-called bronze distributors. Some were without decoration and others had geometric decoration. The most common ones were those sculpted as two opposing panthers (rarely lions). -
Roman Bronze Duck-Headed Ladle
1st-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £250
With broad bowl and inturned rim, D-section handle, with one remaining hooked duck-head-head finial. 208 grams, 26.5 cm
Private collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent.
