Roman Bronze Decorated Armour Clasp

With piriform body, tapering neck and everted rim. 34 grams, 93 mm



From a London, UK, collection, 1990s.

Standing nude with a cloak draped over his left shoulder and fastened on the right shoulder, baring the weight on his right foot with the left leg bent at the knee with the heel raised; the right arm extended and holding the remains of an attribute, the left arm bent at the elbow; his head turned slightly to the right with long luxurious hair swept back and gathered at the nape of the neck; set on a circular socle base; stripped and repainted. 700 grams, 19 cm



Private collection, France, acquired at Mythes ét Légendes, 18 Place des Vosges, Paris, 14 May 1980. Anonymous sale: ex Jean Roudillon, Hôtel des Ventes de Belfort SARL, 22 October 2011, no.9. with Christie's, London, 2 April 2014, no.91. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S0007570. Accompanied by a copy of French passport no.132675 dated 7 December 2011. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12360-226681.

The figurine is of archaic style; it is probably a provincial work of a Gallo-Roman workshop. The prototype can be seen in the Apollo of Naxos in the Berlin Museum. The style of posture and movement can also be seen in the archaic bronzes of Falterona, the Louvre and Athens.

Including a bronze coin, buckle loops, glass marbles, lead tokens, thimbles, furniture fittings, and other items. 1.35 kg total, 1.1-11.1 cm



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.