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LOT 0165
Roman Bronze Head of a Grotesque Dwarf
ALEXANDRIA, 1ST CENTURY A.D.
1 7/8 in. (67 grams, 48 mm).
Hollow-formed 'moneybox' with exaggerated nose and lips, small crescent-and-pellet ears, low-relief eyes with impressed pupils, small lock of hair to the scalp, vesica-shaped socket to the underside; pierced at the scalp and at the right ear.
Provenancewith Artemis Gallery, Munich, before 1998.
Acquired by the present owner from the above in 2003.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12212-222320.
Cf. Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 196; see also Cèbe, J.B., La caricature et la parodie dans le monde romain antique des origines à Juvénal, Bibliothèque des Écoles françaises d'Athènes et de Rome, 206, Paris, De Boccard, 1966; Dunand, F., Terres cuites gréco-romaines d'Égypte, Paris, Musée du Louvre, département des antiquités égyptiennes; Réunion des musées nationaux, 1990; Ewigleben, C., von Grumbkow, J. (Hrsg.), Götter, Gräber & Grotesken. Tonfiguren aus dem Alltagsleben im römischen Ägypten, Bilderhefte des Museums für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg, 25, Hamburg, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, 1991.
FootnotesSuch small bronzes with physical abnormalities and exaggerated features served as entertainment, but also had the function of warding off evil.
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LOT 0165
Roman Bronze Head of a Grotesque Dwarf
Estimate £1,800 - 2,400€2,090 - 2,780 (for guidance only)$2,430 - 3,240 (for guidance only)
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Roman Glass Bottle
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
With dimpled base, flared neck and carinated flange below the mouth, rounded rim. 102 grams, 12.9 cm
From an important London collection of glass, 1990s.
The vessel's shape is a simplified version of a cup decorated with a zigzag line. This is characteristic of Palestinian workshops. Two similar vessels, similar to this one, have been found in Palestine: one in Beit Fajjar, dating to the late 3rd-4th century CE, the other in an unidentified location. -
Roman Fresco Wall Plaster Collection
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Fragments of wall plaster with rendered surface painted with mainly red, pale blue and white detailing; some with impression of timber laths to the reverse. 496 grams total, 7-10.7 cm
Acquired in the 19th century. Ex Jeger collection, Switzerland. UK gallery, early 2000s.
These small fragments, showing analogies with fragments from Pompeii, seem to belong to the second style of Roman painting, red panels representing highlights and shadows, decorated with vegetal interlaces. Some panels were probably framed by a red grenade fillet. A fragment shows alternate blue and red colours over a cream background, maybe pertinent to a socle. -
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Bronze Roman Coin and Framed Limited Edition Print
3rd century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £10
The coin of Constantine the Great (272-337 A.D.) mounted on 22 carat gold foil, framed with an art print signed by the artist David McAllister, depicting scenes of Roman military activity; limited edition number 172/1150. 1.26 kg, 49.5 x 37.5 cm
UK gallery, early 2000s. Accompanied by a previous numbered certificate of authenticity.
David McAllister's exciting design is a 'one of a kind' work that portrays the might and riches of the Roman civilisation. This limited edition print is a celebration of the award winning artist's lifetime dedication to historical paintings of the ancient world. To enhance appreciation of this rare and historic work, each individual print is signed and numbered by the artist.
