LOT 0166

Roman Bronze Hand-Standing Acrobat

1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.

4 3/4 in. (162 grams, 12 cm high).

A statuette of an acrobat on a round, drum-shaped base, standing on his hands, body arching slightly and legs together; wearing a loin cloth and cap decorated with floral pattern; eyes inlaid with silver.

Ex property of a Surrey collector; acquired in the early 1970s.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13125-249637.

Cf. Rolland, H. Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 184, for type.

Acrobats in ancient Rome could perform at a number of venues; either in theatres, as 'gap fillers' between gladiatorial contests at the amphitheatre, at private parties or at impromptu street performances and fairs. A convivium was a dinner party with family, friends or associates. It was somewhat like a Greek symposium except that it was generally regarded as a chance to talk business or politics rather than philosophy and weighty matters. A commissatio was a wild drinking party. Prostitutes, jugglers, musicians, acrobats, actors and fire-eaters entertained guests at the banquets of wealthy Romans. From the descriptions given by Roman authors these banquets were lavish affairs with rose petals scattered on the floor, mechanical devices lowering acrobats and entertainers from the ceiling and slaves blew exotic scents into the room. The emperors also had special entertainment barges constructed on some of the ornamental lakes in the parks of Rome where acrobats entertained the guests.