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LOT 0690
Roman Bronze Figure of Aphrodite Holding a Severed Swan's Head
1ST-3RD CENTURY A.D.
7 5/8 in. (327 grams, 19.5 cm).
Modelled in the round nude and and raising her right arm, holding the neck of the swan (her animal attribute); left arm descending towards her pubis, legs in contrapposto stance; gusseted drum-shaped base; repaired.
ProvenanceAcquired in the mid 1980s-1990s.
From the family collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, thence by descent.
Private collection since the late 1990s.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12099-218223.
Cf. Boucher, S. & Tassinari, S., Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine a Lyon: Bronzes Antiques I. Inscriptions, Statuaire, Vaisselle, Lyon, 1976, item 66, for type.
FootnotesAlthough the presence of the swan in this position is rather rare, iconographically, this image is part of the abundant series of statuettes of Aphrodite/Venus widely distributed during the Roman Imperial era.
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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LOT 0690
Roman Bronze Figure of Aphrodite Holding a Severed Swan's Head
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,105
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Roman Carnelian Gemstone of the Young God Hercules Fighting Snakes
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
Intaglio image of Hercules kneeling on a baseline holding a snake aloft in one hand and gripping another in the other hand; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.70 grams, 13 mm
Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.
According to legend, Hera wanted to rid herself of the infant Hercules and placed snakes in his crib. So strong was he even at that young age that he managed to overcome and kill them. The artist has represented the hero as a fully-grown young man. -
Roman Silver Pin with a Figure of a Standing Woman
2nd-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Comprising a tapering body with a Corinthian capital finial, a standing female figure atop the capital, dressed in long robes. 16 grams, 98 mm
Acquired in the 1980s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.
The pin seems to belong to the group 18 of the Cool's classification. The treatment of the figures in these pins varies greatly, including both the very 'Celtic' looking face on a pin from Cirencester and a Graeco-Roman figure type of Venus standing on a Corinthian capital from London. This great diversity of treatments clearly suggests that these pins were the occasional products of a wide variety of workshops. -
Roman Silver Ligula Medical Spoon
1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Comprising a slender stem with bulb and tiered finial, hemispherical bowl. 10.45 grams, 12.6 cm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
