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LOT 0710
Roman Bronze Goddess Statuette Heads
CIRCA 1ST-3RD CENTURY A.D.
7/8 - 1 in. (71 grams total, 23-25 mm).
Comprising: a female with hair held in a chignon at the nape; figure with hair dressed in short wavy tufts, large eyes with exaggerated eyelashes. [2]
ProvenanceAcquired before 2000.
From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
See statuettes with similar heads and dimensions in Politikens Forlag, Jeg ser på oldsager (I look at antiquities), Kopenhagen, 1966, nos.585-586.
FootnotesBronze statuettes representing Roman gods and goddesses were widespread all around the empire, and are also known as far as archaeological sites of Jutland and the islands. The two heads represent probably tutela divinities of the home, like Vesta and Juno (Greek Hera).
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Late Roman Iron Branding Signaculum
Circa 3rd-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13
Displaying a monogram composed of Latin letters A and R; tapering round-section socket. 233 grams, 20.2 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
The signacula used for branding were distinguished primarily by the presence of a relatively long metal arm, which could reach a length of 50 cm. This arm could sometimes be hollow to allow the insertion of a wooden handle. The presence of the long arm constitutes the main indication for the use of these signacula in the context of branding. Its length allowed the user to keep a safe distance from the source of heat. -
Roman Bronze Folding Spoon
Circa 4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
Featuring a shallow piriform bowl, raised neck with movable pinned hinge attached to the hexagonal-section handle and shortened polyhedral knob finial, allowing the handle to be folded into the bowl. 15.5 grams, 14 cm
UK collection, early 1990s and before. Acquired on the UK art market since the early 2000s. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK.
As today, the spoon was used as a measure for dosage in ancient times. Both the cochlear and the ligula could have been used to measure different quantities, particularly in the practice of medicine and in the kitchen. Isidore (Origines, XVI, 26.3) tells us that the cochlear was the smallest unit size and was worth half a drachma. -
Large Eastern Roman Bronze Bust-Shaped Steelyard Weight
Circa 3rd-4th century A.D. or laterEstimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £400
Modelled in the round as a facing female with head turned slightly right, with semi-naturalistic facial detailing and dressed hair; lead-filled. 4.2 kg, 13.5 cm high
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
Steelyard weights in the form of human or deities faces were not uncommon in the Roman period (see SWYOR-DA4426, OXON-4391B5, HAMP-BD4D67 and NARC-7A7B81 on the PAS). These were generally filled with lead and had iron or copper suspension loops projecting from the top of the head.
