Roman Bronze Dog Brooch

Displaying the face of a bearded god, possibly Cernunnos or Pan, with curly hair and two horns in the shape of phallus; suspension ring to the top. 25.6 grams, 45 mm



Acquired in the 1990s. Ex property of a UK gentleman.

The head displays typical features associated with Romano-Celtic art, such as the lentoid eyes and the schematic rendering of the hair and beard. The head could be that of Pan, god of the wild countryside and of fertility in nature, thus making the phalli-shaped horns appropriate. It could also represent the Celtic god Cernunnos, a Gallic deity whose worship is known from Britain and the Continent from a number of monuments, inscriptions and figurines, as well as on the famous Gundestrup cauldron found in a bog in Denmark. His name means "the Horned One", and is depicted as a bearded male wearing a torc around his neck and with large horns or antlers on his head. Representations of him are known from as early as the fourth century B.C. from the Paspardo rock carving at Val Camonica, Northern Italy. Other representations include the monument set up by Parisian sailors which was discovered underneath Notre Dame cathedral, and the relief carving from Cirencester where his legs are in the form of two snakes. The Celts' preoccupation with fecundity caused them on occasions to represent their male gods with oversized phalli, and a bronze figure of Mercury from Tongres, France, depicts the god with two phalli on his head.

Formed in the round as the head and neck of an androgynous figure, integral oval-section neck with ribbing to top; stylised face and hair detailing extending around the body to the reverse of the vessel, where the D-section handle is located. 816 grams, 26 cm high



From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection, 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.202850.

Composed of carnelian and possibly garnet polished stones, each bearing a different intaglio design: a figure holding a staff; figure standing holding a cornucopia and wearing a floor-length robe, possibly Fortuna; short, helmetted figure, possibly Mars; figural scene composed of a central seated female wearing a helmet, possibly the goddess Minerva, two attendants to either side; each accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 2.88 grams total, 9-14 mm



Ex property of a European lady living in London; from her father's family collection formed before 1978.