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_900x900.jpg "Roman Bronze Hand-Shaped Military Standard Finial")
_200x200.jpg "Roman Bronze Hand-Shaped Military Standard Finial")
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LOT 0130
Roman Bronze Hand-Shaped Military Standard Finial
1ST-3RD CENTURY A.D.
8 1/8 in. (718 grams, 21 cm).
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.
ProvenanceAcquired 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.
Cf. a similar item from Martigny, in Zürich, Schweizerisches Landesmuseum, inventory nr. 41434, see Von Gonzenbach, V., 'Fides Exercituum, eine Hand von Vindonissa', in Jahrbuch der Gesellschaft Pro Vindonissa, 1951-1952, pp.5ff.; D’Amato, R., Arms and armour of the Roman Imperial Soldier, 112 BC - AD 192, London, 2009, p. 170, fig.239; Toepfer K.M., Die römischen Feldzeichen in der Republik und im Prinzipat, Mainz, 2011, NZ52; D’Amato, R., Roman standards and standard-bearers, (1), 112 BC - AD 192, Oxford, 2018, p.31.
FootnotesRoman military signa decorated by phalerae and surmounted by a right hand are visible since 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.
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LOT 0130
Roman Bronze Hand-Shaped Military Standard Finial
Estimate £5,000 - 7,000€5,800 - 8,120 (for guidance only)$6,750 - 9,450 (for guidance only)
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Bronze Age to Roman Bronze Artefact Collection
11th century B.C.-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Comprising two arrowheads with foliate head and square-sectioned tang and three awls. 45 grams total, 3.6-10.8 cm
Acquired prior to 2000. Ex private collection, Cambridgeshire, UK.
The two arrowheads are similar to specimens found in Luristan. They belong to the type V of the Khorasani classification. The bow was widely used by the Luristan people. The shape of the blade is often flat or ovate in the cross section with lanceolate profile and two cutting edges. -
Roman Gilt Bronze Statue Thumb
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
Hollow-formed left thumb with detailed nail. 178 grams, 95 mm
Acquired in Europe before 2001. European private collection. -
Roman Gold Ring with Mani in Fede Gemstone for Aiax
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
Comprising a hollow-formed hoop with rounded shoulders, inset garnet intaglio with clasped hands and 'AIAX' inscription. 2.79 grams, 21.00 mm overall, 14.90 mm internal diameter (approximate size British E, USA 2 1/4, Europe 2.41, Japan 2)
Acquired in Europe in 1992. with Million Cornette de Saint Cyr, Hotel Regina, 12 December 2009. European private collection.
The Romanised name 'Aiax' is given to the hero Αἴας of the Trojan war, who carried off the body of Achilles and fought Hector. The subject of two clasped hands (dextrarum junctio) symbolising the fides (loyalty, trust), was very popular on Roman rings and gems. It was mainly used on marriage rings, sometimes with the equivalent Greek inscription 'OMONOIA'. Sometimes it was used in terms of military loyalty between commander and army. In this case it is most probable the name of the groom (AIAX).
