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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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Redware Fragment with Amphibians
Roman, circa 2nd century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £46
With curving profile, applied raised figures of a lizard, a frog and a turtle to the upper surface with incised detailing. 155 grams, 13 cm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
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Roman Bronze Folding Tripod Table with Busts of Bacchus and Panther
2nd century A.D.Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £11,111
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. -
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Roman 'British' Ring Gemstone with Portrait
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Ellipsoid glass insert with profile portrait bust to one face. 2.11 grams, 14 mm
Found UK. From the collection of C. Sullivan, UK, 1990s.
The same portrait appears on 'horse and rider' plate brooches.
