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_900x900.jpg "Roman Bronze Head of an Emperor")
_200x200.jpg "Roman Bronze Head of an Emperor")
.jpg "Roman Bronze Head of an Emperor")
LOT 0105
Roman Bronze Head of an Emperor
2ND CENTURY A.D.
4 in. (440 grams, 10 cm).
Hollow-formed with long neck, abundant thick hair and beard, broad mouth; probably intended to represent an emperor.
ProvenanceAcquired by a Swiss family in the mid-1980s to late 1990s, thence by descent.
Private collection, Switzerland, since the late 1990s.
Cf. a bronze statue of Hadrian from the Camp of the Sixth Roman Legion in Tel Shalem, 117–138 AD, now in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem, in D'Amato-Negin, Roman Decorated armour, 2017, p.107, fig.103.
FootnotesThe portrait seems to be a provincial bronze representing Hadrian, apparently aged around 30, recognisable from his incipient beard, moustache and distinctive physiognomy. However, the portrait is in an extremely provincial style, exemplified by the wide spacing of the eyes. The beard is lightly incised, and the highly stylised curls around the front of the head give way to simple incised locks on the back.
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:
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Roman Carnelian Gemstone with the God Jupiter
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
Ellipsoid type with an incuse profile figure of Jupiter facing left, eagle on the raised right arm. 0.64 grams, 12 mm
Property of a European gentleman, acquired from the estate of a London collector (formed before 2000). -
Roman Terracotta Bullae, Tesserae or Token Group
3rd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 35.6 grams total, 14-22 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' refers to a four-sided shape. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term ‘token’ is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets. -
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From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
