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LOT 0658
Roman Bronze Horse-Heads Plate Brooch
CIRCA 4TH CENTURY A.D.
1 5/8 in. (14.8 grams, 40 mm).
Formed as four profile horseheads emanating from a central roundel; each head with a ring-and-dot eye and chevron mouth, and incised borders to the neck; to the reverse, the pin and catchplate. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired in the early 1990s.
Ex Property of a Cambridgeshire Gentleman.
Property of a Kent lady collector.
Cf. Petcu, R., Swastika-shaped fibulae with horse-head decorations (Almgren 232) from the Roman period in Dobrudja (Moesia Inferior), in Studia Antiqua et Archaeologica 25(1); pp.113-122, fig.4.
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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Large Roman Bronze Lion-Headed Iron Key
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
Iron shank with perpendicular wards, square-section bronze handle with incised geometric ornament, lion-head finial with open mouth to accept a suspension ring. 125 grams, 86 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Sheet Gold Phalera Covers with Pelta Shields
4th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Comprising a pair of discoid appliqués with beaded rim and high-relief pelta (military shield) motif, one with the pelta surmounted by a kantharos with a laurel wreath above, the other with vegetal volutes. 6.60 grams total, 61-62 mm
Acquired in the early 1990s. From the collection of a London antiquarian. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The subject represented on these two appliqués is a crescentic military shield, the so-called pelta, associated in the late Roman iconography with the Amazon female warriors. Many shields of this typology were also represented on the pedestal of the Column of Arcadius in Constantinople (circa 400 A.D.) and seemed to be associated with the heavy cavalry of the Imperial Guard (D’Amato-Negin, 2017, p.252). -
Roman Silver Key Ring with Fretwork Heart
1st century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
The bezel formed with an openwork vine and leaf motif. 2.11 grams, 18.62 mm overall, 16.39 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
