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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.
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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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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Roman Horse-Headed Plate Brooch Group
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Gammadion brooches each with horse-head finials and central ring-and-dot motif. 26 grams total, 37-40 mm
UK art market, acquired prior to 1980. Property of a Scottish collector, acquired in 2013. -
Roman Bronze Folding Tripod Table with Busts of Bacchus and Panther
2nd century A.D.Estimate: £25,000 - 35,000 (‡+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. 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. -
Roman Bronze Plate Brooch with Vine Leaf
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Complete with pin lug, pin and catchplate to reverse. 10 grams, 29 mm
Acquired prior to 2000. Ex private collection, Cambridgeshire, UK.
