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LOT 0113
Roman Bronze Cockerel
CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D.
1 7/8 in. (78 grams, 47 mm).
Free-standing with semi-naturalistic detailing to the head, wing and tail feathers, comb and wattle.
Provenance‘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.
LiteratureSee a similar Gallo-Roman example held by the Lugdunum Lyon, Musée De La Civilisation Gallo-Romaine.
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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Late Roman Terracotta Pitcher
Circa 500 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Of coiled construction with bulbous lower body and tubular upper, flared and everted rim, strap handle above the shoulder. 1.7 kg, 26 cm high
London, UK, collection, 1990s. -
Roman Gold Ring with Gemstone Pair
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,040
Bifid hoop expanding to ellipsoid cells, each with an inset garnet cloison, intaglio clasped-hands and chalice(?) motifs. 6.46 grams, 21.57 mm overall, 18.72 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I 1/2, USA 4 1/2, Europe 7.44, Japan 7)
Acquired on the German art market around 2000. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Bronze Military Monkey
4th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £444
Modelled seated on a polygonal base wearing a paenula, the right hand placed on the left shoulder, head tilted to one side, right hand placed on a stela or lantern. 23.9 grams, 34 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.
The monkey is bearing a military sagum with cucullus and is holding beside him a squared lucerna. This representation can be a Roman military mascot or simply a grotesque. In 2001 in Spain, at Llivia, remains of Barbary apes with military belt buckles typically related to the late Roman period were discovered. The discovery of this type of belt buckle in a human grave would suggest that they were once a part of this army, so the fact that some were given to a Barbary ape means that the apes played a military role, for example, acted as targets to distract the enemy, or were used in type of a combat or for defence. Apes were also a very common form of pet in the Graeco-Roman world.
