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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 Iron Ring with Gryllos Gemstone
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
Substantial D-section hoop set with a red jasper intaglio with a gryllos motif; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 9.06 grams, 27.29 mm overall, 20.24 x 16.48 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)
From an old English collection, Camden, London, UK.
Grylli motifs usually combine various human and animal heads, sometimes including animal legs. -
Roman and Other Glass Bead Necklace String
1st-4th century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £111
A short designer necklace with mixed group of graduated beads in matching colours, central feature a conical stone bead; restrung. 14.3 grams, 41 cm
From London, UK, gallery collection, 1990s. -
Roman Agate Cameo of a Stag
1st century B.C.-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,080
Ellipsoid plaque with reserved stag grazing, one hindleg raised to the flank. 1.09 grams, 16 mm
Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.
The surface is burnt, hence the colour change.
