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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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AUCTIONS:
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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 Gemstone of Hercules with Ceryneian Hind in Gold Ring
2nd century A.D.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,500
Red jasper intaglio engraved with nude Hercules draped in lion's skin, holding antlers of a reclining hind; set into a later substantial gold ring with carinated hoop and enigmatic italic inscription to the inner face with date 1922. 24.05 grams, 29.85 mm overall, 22.95 x 22.30mm internal diameter (approximate size British Z+2, USA 13 1/4, Europe 31.31, Japan 30)
Private collection, England. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13171-249502.
The third labour of Hercules was to capture the Ceryneian hind, a swift, golden-antlered animal sacred to the goddess Artemis (Diana), required to bring it alive to the court of King Eurystheus. He accomplished the task after a year-long chase, when he wounded the hind's legs with an arrow near the Ladon River. He explained the situation to Artemis, and after he showed the hind to the king, the animal was released back into nature. -
Greek Gold and Carnelian Necklace with Garnet-Set Pendant
5th-4th century B.C.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,500
A restrung necklace comprising carinated carnelian beads interspersed with sheet-gold beads of plain and granulated types, two tapering round-section beads with collars and domed finials, a central gold polygonal pendant with eight concave sides, polished oval garnet cabochon at the centre, granulated collar around base, raised tear-shaped cell to each corner also with granulated border, alternately set with enamel and garnet cabochons, a single applied bead between each; modern hook-and-eye clasp. 39.16 grams, 53 cm
Acquired in the mid-1980s to early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13124-246808. -
Roman Pale-Blue Glass Handled Unguentarium with Trail
3rd-5th century A.D. or laterEstimate: £350 - 450 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £180
Comprising a piriform body and flared mouth with applied trails; strap handle above extending to two lateral loops; applied zigzag to lower body and applied foot. 67 grams, 15.5 cm
Acquired on the European art market in the early 2000s. with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland.
