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 Carnelian Gemstone with Bee
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Ellipsoid intaglio with bee in plan; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.33 grams, 10 mm
Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Bronze-Handled Iron Key
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £173
With angled shank, wolf-head handle. 70 grams, 92 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Silver Ring with 'of him who is virtuous, beautiful' Garnet Gemstone
Late 2nd-early 3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Comprising a D-section hoop with angled shoulders; applied gold sheet with hatched border to the bezel, set with a dark set carnelian intaglio engraved with a monogram 'ΚΑΛΟΥ' (of him who is virtuous, beautiful). 6.42 grams, 22.80 mm overall, 16.58 mm internal diameter (approximate size British E, USA 2 1/4, Europe 2.41, Japan 2)
Property of a North American gallery since the 1990s.
This category of silver rings, with rounded shoulders is characteristic of the 3rd century A.D. This is also supported by the dating of the Sliven treasury, a grave find with coins dated to the 2nd-3rd century A.D., where a high conically cut gem decorated with the image of Helios was found on a similar ring, with a high bezel (like here) decorated in its oblique part with oblique hatches resembling pearl-like cord.
