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LOT 0697
Roman Bronze Gladiator Brooch
1ST-3RD CENTURY A.D.
2 in. (14.9 grams, 50 mm).
Plate brooch formed as an advancing gladiator with large rectangular shield, triangular helmet, gladius in his right hand; pin-lug and catch to the reverse.
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Cf. Heynowski, R., Bestimmungsbuch Archaeologie: Fibeln, Munich, 2012, item 3.27.5, for type.
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 Enamelled Bronze Bow Brooch
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Dolphin-type T-shaped bow brooch with barrel-shaped crossbar, ornamented with punched segmentation to the obverse, imitation spring-coil to the reverse; shallow bow with lateral bands of pointillé detailing flanking a column of square cells to accept enamel fill; trumpet-shaped lobe finial; catch to reverse with openwork ornament; hinged pin to reverse. 21.8 grams, 49 mm
Found Wiltshire, UK, before 1974.
The brooch features a hinged pin but the ribbed ornament on the crossbar replicates the coiled spring of contemporary Colchester-type bow brooches. -
Roman Bronze Gladiator Brooch
1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
Plate brooch formed as an advancing gladiator with large rectangular shield, triangular helmet, gladius in his right hand; pin-lug and catch to the reverse. 14.9 grams, 50 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Bronze Statuette of Mercury
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Standing nude with winged petasos to the head, in contrapposto pose; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 66 grams total, 85 mm 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.
Mercury was the god of trade and industry, whose principle shrine in the city of Rome was at the Circus Maximus. Equated with the Greek Hermes he became the god of tradesmen and merchants. He was also the god of thieves and was associated with healing, mainly in Gaul, where he had a number of important temples connected to sacred springs, This statuette was probably a votive offering to one of this temples.
