Roman Bronze Erotic Mount

Modelled in the round and originally part of a monumental statue, the naturalistic right foot encased in a trochades leather sandal with median reversed tongue secured with side straps and thick looped laces; the thick platform sole slightly curved, toes and nails well defined; mounted on a substantial custom-made display stand. 5.84 kg total, foot: 30 cm wide



German art market. European private collection, 1970s-early 2000s. Acquired from the above; thence by descent. Private collection, London, UK. 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.12176-221443.

The detailed bronze foot with a possible variant of the Greek trochades sandal, known to be a traveller's sandal, is all that remains of the once monumental statue. The trochades was a sturdy traveller's open boot of Greek origin with a flat sole. In the Consular Age it was also used by officers and guardsmen. Roman sandals consisted usually of a leather sole attached to the foot with interlacing thongs.

Comprising male genitals flanked by an erect phallus and a hand in the fica gesture. 55 grams, 73 mm



From 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.

Highly detailed bearded head with thick hair locks surmounted by a pseudo-Corinthian helmet with high crest; the breast covered by a scale armour (squama) fitted with shoulder-guards. 82 grams, 75 mm



From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.

The pseudo-Corinthian or Apulo-Corinthian helmet, here worn by the divinity, was originally a legionary helmet, which transformed in the late Consular Age into an officer's helmet, to become a typical attribute of the commanders and then of the war god.