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LOT 0894
Roman Bronze Horse Brooch
CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D.
1 3/8 in. (11.8 grams, 35 mm).
Formed as a standing horse, the hindlegs forming crossbar, tail forming hinged pin, forelegs forming catchplate; ring-and-dot motifs to shoulders, linear detailing to the mane. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000.
From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
Cf. Hattatt, R., Ancient Brooches and Other Artefacts, Oxford, 1989, item 1644.
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 Bronze Artefact Group
Circa 3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Comprising: two seriffed capital letters 'F' and 'E' (from utere felix inscription); seal box with repoussé image of Victory. 10 grams total, 21-37 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Silver Key Ring with Dolphins
3rd-4th century A.D.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £300
The hoop formed with dolphin-head shoulders supporting an openwork tiered bezel with four outward-facing dolphins on a disc, their tails joining to form a tube with inset garnet cloison; possibly originally a key-ring with the tune forming a mandrel. 7.13 grams, 31.06 mm overall, 19.89 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)
Ex Cotswold collection, UK, 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of a statement of opinion from Striptwist Ltd, a London-based company run by precious metal specialist Dr Jack Ogden, reference number 221202. -
Roman Bronze Wild Boar Chariot Fitting Pair
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
Matched pair of chariot fittings, each formed as the head and forelegs of a boar with open mouth and prominent tusks, developing to a crescentic square-section body with knop finial, supported on a column and square-section tiered base; mounted on custom-made display stands. 1.13 kg total, 22.5 cm high including stand
Ex Ancient Art, North London, UK. From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12058-212073.
The fittings were possibly part of a decoration of a Thraco-Roman chariot. Sometimes the ends of the yokes were covered with bronze toppers geometrically shaped or decorated with figures of a lion, a wild boar (our example), a goat, etc. Often, instead of these toppers, there were the so-called bronze distributors. Some were without decoration and others had geometric decoration. The most common ones were those sculpted as two opposing panthers (rarely lions).
