Roman Bronze Fragment Group

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; restored. 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.

Trapezoidal in section with loop to the apex, pierced to accept a clapper; many of these objects are published in the Detector Finds book series. 137 grams, 68 mm



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

The bell was probably used inside a temple where its melodic sound was thought to add to the aura of reverence and mystery. In Mithraic temples, bells were rung as part of the ceremonial, while in the cult of Attis the bell and tympanum were also used to serve food and drink as the critical part of the rituals of consumption. One Roman order of priests applied the term 'belonging to the fields, Campanian' to a metal vessel, which was adopted by the Christian church as the word for a sacred bell (as in 'campanology').

Discoid in plan with integral loop, impressed design of Helios-Apollo in his quadriga chariot. 1.4 grams, 21 mm



Collected from 1970-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK.