Roman Bronze Eagle on Bull's Head Statuette

With three extendable legs each topped with bust of Bacchus, his long hair collected in a crown of vine leaves and branches, wearing a panther skin exomis; the feet formed as feline paws; the middle part of the frontal leg formed as an S-curve topped with a panther's head with open jaws. 9.9 kg, 101 cm

Traces of gilding over all the whole surface, fine condition, restored, excessively rare.

Ex collection of Dr Djafari (1900-1981), Kaiserslautern, Germany. 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.11801-206499.

Folding tripod stands were well known in the ancient world, in both Greek and Roman contexts. These folding supports for tables, bracers and cauldrons are known finds from important excavations in the Roman world, like Pompeii. The purpose of such folding stands varied: during the meal they were placed between the triclinary beds, and bowls and application plates were hung to the hooks at the back of the holders, here shaped like the heads of a Bacchus. They were also used for the fire in military encampments, or in the temples of the gods. Others were used as the support frames for bronze bowls, either for washing or for ritual purposes. Many were offered as funerary gifts, like the splendid example in the chariot grave of Környe. Roman folding tripods were also used in religious rituals (here clearly linked to the cult of the god of wine, as shown by the presence of panthers) and sacrifices. Burnt offerings and libations were offered to the gods in cauldrons that would have been attached to the hooks behind the heads on the upper section.

Composed of an angular hoop with sloping, fluted shoulders; raised lenticular bezel set with glass paste, raised Greek inscription 'EYTYKI', translating to 'good fortune', a wish for good luck for the bearer. 6.21 grams, 19.03 mm overall, 11.88 x 15.57 mm internal diameter (approximate size British D 1/2, USA 2, Europe 1.78, Japan 1)



From the late Alison Barker collection, 1970-1990. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.

The ring belongs to the type III, variant 2 of the Ruseva-Slokoska classification. They are characterised by a flat band widening towards the trapezium-shaped oblique shoulders, cut to resemble leaves, shaped with vertical grooves and hatches at the extremities. The augural inscription 'EYTYKI' was usual in the augural rings, given for a donative or in occasion of the passage from puberty to adolescence.

With stepped shoulders and ellipsoid bezel open to the underside, replaced hoop, inset amethyst intaglio depicting Mercury giving the infant Bacchus to the Nymphs; stone broken. 16.40 grams, 24.07 mm overall, 17.91 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)



Acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. Thence by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12108-212230.