Roman Bronze Dolphin Figure

Displaying a figural scene in relief with an arch decorated with egg-and-dart motifs and resting on smooth pillars with foliate capitals; the upper field dominated by Sol wearing a radiate crown with seven rays and driving a facing quadriga, holding a globe in his left hand; the central field showing the Dioscuri on horseback, raising their right arm in salutation of their divine sister Helen of Troy at the centre, the twin on the left, whose horse is trampling a naked prisoner, followed by an armoured warrior holding an oval shield and spear, wearing a crested helmet in pseudo-Attic style, the twin on the left, whose horse is trampling over a big fish, followed by a character dressed in long garment and raising his hand in salute; the lower field showing worshippers preparing an offering meal; a coiled serpent to each top corner. 132 grams, 80 mm



Acquired in Germany in 2001. European private collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

The complex iconography of the plaque relates to the pre-Christian religions of the Lower Danube region. It was concentrated on the figure of Sol Invictus, the sun god, who was often represented driving a quadriga. This cult came from the Near East but spread into the Roman Empire with imperial patronage; symbolism like this was part of the cult of Mithras that was found throughout the empire from Britain (a temple to Mithras can still be seen in the modern City of London) to its eastern coasts in the ancient colonies of Thracia and Dacia, Moesia, Pannonia and Dalmatia. The rest of the plaque shows worshippers (probably the donors of the votive plaque) who are preparing the offering meal, while the riders on horseback, the divine twins Castor and Pollux, evoke the cult of the Danubian rider. Their sister Helen of Troy stands at an altar of Sol like a priestess, representing fertility. As suggested by Aimone, the presence of the two horsemen seems suggest a military context, a connection underlined by the presence of the fully armoured soldier at the left. This iconography was very popular in the Roman Empire and lasted until the 4th century A.D., being also the subject of other artworks, like the fabulous tray in the recently published Wyvern collection (Aimone, 2020, pp.95ff.).

Mixed group including P-shaped bow brooches, Langton Down type brooch, flint scraper with old label 'Clactonian/Bainfield/Swanscombe/1916' and other items. 143 grams total, 29-60 mm



Property of a Gloucestershire, UK, collector. Property of an East Sussex, UK, gentleman.

Squat jar with concentric rings to the base, flared rim to the mouth three high-relief galley images to the shoulder. 166 grams, 43 mm high



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.

The vase evokes a scene of maritime or river trade, usually linked to navigation on the Rhine or on the great rivers of Roman Gaul. In particular, the shape of the ship and the three people only half visible on its deck closely resemble the famous relief of the wine merchants of Neumagen-Dhron. The small jar was probably for domestic toilette use.