Roman Bronze Brooch and Other Artefact Collection

The larger fragment with stepped neck and rim, bearing a leaping lion right in raised relief; the smaller fragment with leonine protome; both in terra sigillata africana; modern suspension loop to reverse. 54 grams total, 35-60 mm



Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

The most ancient production of red African ware began in the Flavian Age. Towards the second half of the 3rd century A.D. – but most probably before – the production reached its zenith and African redware pottery was imported from all the Imperial provinces.

The muse standing on a baseline with her head in profile, resting her left arm on a cithara, carrying a laurel branch in her extended right hand, the weight of the body resting on the right leg. 0.77 grams, 14 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.

The muse is Euterpe, the muse of music as well as lyrical poetry. The motif can be related to numerous representations of Apollo, in which he appears leaning on a column on which the lyre or tripod is placed. It is a serial representation, based on statuary prototypes, which were widely copied by Hellenistic-Roman artisans, where the figure of Apollo, here, is transformed in that of the muse of music.

Modelled in the round with naturalistic detailing. 22.8 grams, 33 mm



‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.