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LOT 0751
Roman Bronze Eagle on Bull's Head Statuette
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
2 1/4 in. (46.4 grams, 58 mm).
Comprising an altar with a severed head of a bull on the top and an eagle perching on it; hollow to the underside, four stub feet to the angles. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom 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.
The image of an eagle on the severed head of a bull was probably connected with the cult of Jupiter Dolichenus.
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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Roman Silver Armilla Snake Bracelet
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
With narrow D-section shank and lobe terminals with punched snake-head detailing. 65.50 grams, 47 mm
Private collection, Arundel, West Sussex, UK, 1975-late 1990s. -
Roman Silver Ring with Profile Bust Gemstone
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
With later inset stone intaglio of a profile helmetted bust. 2.95 grams, 21.16 mm overall, 16.87 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H 1/2, USA 4, Europe 6.81, Japan 6)
Acquired between the 1960s-early 1990s. From an old UK private collector from Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Property of K.P., a Cornish lady collector, UK. -
Roman Marble Janiform Herm Head of Ariadne and a Maenad
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5,556
Carved architectural element depicting a double herm comprising: a diademed female bust with long wavy hair framing the face, slender features with small mouth and raised lids; the other side with a diademed female with hair arranged in neat curls on the forehead, large eyes and small mouth, taenia shown on each side of the neck; base reworked with drilled sockets for mounting. 12.6 kg, 29 cm high
Old collection, acquired in the 1970s. Acquired by inheritance from Mr N.S. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Marina Mattei and Dr Laura Maria Vigna. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12084-211893.
The head with elaborately curled hair and diadem could represent Ariadne, as shown by comparisons with a fragment of a two-faced herm with bearded Dionysus and Ariadne preserved in the Antiquarium Ostiense, dated to the lmperial Roman age. The heads could be interpreted either as Ariadne and a Maenad, or as two Maenads being characterised by the diadem and long taeniae. The association of these figures with Dionysus is congruent with the typology of the herm, which refers to rural places and theatres. Numerous herms in fact attest that this type of sculpture was used in contexts linked to Dionysus and his sacred procession as well as, obviously, the representation of Ariadne, his female partner and double. The example fits into the class of domestic sculpture with a decorative function, mostly used to adorn peristyles and viridaria; the type placed at the crown of columns and pillars is quite documented, in particular in the version with the head of Dionysus contrasted with that of Ariadne or a Maenad.
