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LOT 0745
Roman Bronze Genius Statuette
2ND CENTURY A.D.
3 3/4 in. (118 grams total, 96 mm including stand).
Modelled standing, wearing a loosely draped himation hanging from the right shoulder, the folds gathered at the left forearm raised to support a patera; mounted on a custom-made stand. [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.
Cf. Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, items 121-3.
FootnotesA genius was a local spirit or supernatural helper whose favour could be requested with a libation or small offering.
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 Bronze Tankard Handle with Drunken Putto on Donkey
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
Comprising a crescent plaque above with facing mask a a thumb-pad, lateral scrolls; perpendicular D-section bar with ribbing to the outer face; rectangular lower attachment panel with scrolled upper corners, high-relief putto (?) holding a patera in one hand and tankard in the other, riding an ass side-saddle; mounted on a custom-made stand. 318 grams total, 17 cm including stand
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.
This type of bronze handles are usually depicting mythological scenes. The scene of the putto riding a donkey is often linked to Bacchic processions. The face of the character riding the donkey could also correspond to that of Silenus, who in the same processions is often represented riding such an animal. -
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Roman Bronze Hand-Shaped Military Standard Finial
1st-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,222
Hollow-formed with fine detailing to the fingers and nails; with fixing points for a military standard (signum) used by each unit under a centurion, originally fixed with the palm facing forwards inside a wreath. 718 grams, 21 cm
Generally intact and good defined, except for the lower part.
Acquired in Europe before 2000. European private collection. 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 a search certificate number no.12003-211851.
Roman military signa decorated by phalerae and surmounted by a right hand were used from the Late Consular Age. The hand (manus) symbolised the fides, i.e. the allegiance between the soldiers and the Res Publica. It is also possible that the hand belonged to a statue in which it was extended as a sign of silence, to allow the speaker to speak. However, the iconography of military hands, and also the resemblance with a bronze hand (military signum) preserved in the Vindonissa museum (Windisch), support the possibility that the object was part of a military standard. -
Roman Pottery Sherd Collection
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Mixed group of ceramic fragments including rooftiles, rim-sherds and other items. 2.3 kg total, 1.6-12.4 cm
Found on various UK sites since 1974. Property of an Essex collector.
