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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:
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Large Roman Terracotta Jug
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
With broad mouth, flared rim and loop handle to the shoulder. 1.4 kg, 24.5 cm high
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Roman Bronze Statuette Group
2nd century B.C-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Comprising: small figure pierced at the middle wit pellet detailing to face and body, legs spread; figure in active pose with slanting stripes across the body, possibly intended for Hercules; probably votives for deposition at a temple. 42 grams total, 30-47 mm
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. -
Roman Openwork Silver Military Baldric Phalera
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,470
With concentric lines of openwork ornament in lanceolate shapes, ending with crescent decorations. 40 grams, 86 mm
Mostly intact, good condition.
Acquired from Gallery Gryphos, Munich, 1997. European private collection. 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 search certificate number no.11998-211928.
In the 3rd century A.D. Roman army, the old ring suspension system of the sword, of Celtic and Iberian origin, was abandoned. The sword was now mainly carried suspended from a broad baldric on the soldier’s left side. The high quality of the openwork decoration of our phalera and the precious silver of which it is made imply that it may have once belonged to a commissioned officer.
