Loading, please wait...
_900x900.jpg "Roman Bronze Hand-Shaped Military Standard Finial")
_200x200.jpg "Roman Bronze Hand-Shaped Military Standard Finial")
.jpg "Roman Bronze Hand-Shaped Military Standard Finial")
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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
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)
-
.jpg)
Large Roman Tinned Bronze Patera
1st century A.D.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
With a deep bowl and flat-section handle with integral loop; shallow concentric grooves around the exterior of the neck, rolled rim, concentric rings to the underside; finished on a lathe; cracked and split. 903 grams, 33 cm wide
Acquired in Europe before 1993. Private collection, Europe. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11788-206494.
In contrast to their elaborate counterparts, paterae such as this were likely carried as part of the standard kit of Roman soldiers, used as a general cooking and eating utensil. The regular heap up (sarcina) of the legionaries is well represented on the reliefs of Trajan's column. It was composed of a T stake (furca), to which a linen bag (sacculus) was hung, as well as the leather haversack for 15-20 days supplies (trinum nundinum) and personal effects, a pot (ollula), a cup (patera), and a basket for work on the fields. -
Roman Bronze 'Colchester Type' Bow Brooch Collection
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Group of bow-brooches, mainly Colchester Type with coiled spring. 48 grams total, 36-77 mm
Found near Bainton, East Riding of Yorkshire, UK. -
Roman Bronze Military Belt Mount Group
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Group of three rectangular mounts each with a beaded border and low-relief motif. 12.2 grams total, 31-34 mm
Property of the vendor's grandfather, thence by family descent, circa 1985. From the private collection of a New York, USA gentleman.
