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LOT 0125
Roman Bronze Diploma Fragment
228 A.D.
2 1/4 in. (28.4 grams, 56 mm).
Rectangular fragment with irregular clipped edges; Side A - trilinear concentric border to the corner; Side B - inscription in serifed capitals '[.]NAS IN MATRI[MONIO / [D]VXERINT PRIO[---] / [.]TOLLANT AC SI [---] / [CIVI]BVS RO[M]ANIS [---] / [ID]VS IANQATICI / [M.] MAECIO PRO[BO COS] / [.]A SEVERIANA'.
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
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Roman Bronze Head of Dionysus Mount
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
Large convex mount depicting the head of the god of wine, shown facing with rounded cheeks and staring eyes, large vine leaves with bunches of grapes framing his face; ferrous spike on the reverse. 103 grams, 61 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Iridescent Glass Flask
Circa 1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
Core-formed with a slightly dimpled base, broad shoulder and narrow neck, mouth with a rolled and everted rim. 34 grams, 10 cm
From a London, UK, collection of glass, 1970-2000s. -
Roman Bronze Statuette of Resting Hercules
3rd century A.D.Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,000
Depicted as lar and modelled nude in a standing pose with the right hand resting on the handle of his club, left arms supporting the lionskin mantle; hair cut short and beard textured. 715 grams, 15.5 cm
Acquired on the UK art market, 1990s. Private collection, New York, USA. 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.13295-255447.
The position of the statuette, belonging to the typology of ‘resting’ Hercules, is unconventional, probably belonging to a more archaic period prototype (Reinach, 1897, p.211,7). By the late 300s or early 200s B.C., the depiction of Hercules wearing the lion's skin over his head had fallen out of favour in Greek art. A worshipper probably placed this statuette in a sanctuary as an offering to the deity, or in his house as a symbol of protection. The majority of small Hercules statuettes are ex-votos, and the donors were possibly herdsmen, considering his function as protector of the flocks. Statuettes of the god found in provinces like Gallia, Britannia, or Pannonia might have appealed to Italic soldiers serving further north and could easily have been carried with them on campaign.