Roman Bronze Horse Statuette

Comprising five with round-section bodies and squared terminals; the surface decorated with engraved lines and dots. 72 grams total, 63-75 mm



From the family collection of a Surrey gentleman since before 1960.

Bracelets were worn in Rome by ladies of rank, but it was considered a mark of effeminacy for civilian men to use such female ornaments (Suetonius, Caligula, 52; Nero, 30). The armillae (or psellia in Greek) were rings and bracelets worn by women in the Graeco-Roman world on both legs and arms. Homer mentions them (elikas) as being part of the hairstyle of the divine Aphrodite, thus giving an almost sacred character to these objects. There were different types, the most common consisting of a more or less thick metal wire, or a flat or cylindrical circle, like our examples.

The slender tubular neck rising from a globular body. 34 grams, 10.1 cm



Ex Coincraft, London WC1. Ex private Merseyside, UK, collection.

Penannular in form with kite-shaped terminals representing serpents' heads, punched ring-and-dot and pricked dot ornament forming the stylised head and scale detailing. 8 grams, 66 mm



Ex North American private collection. Acquired privately on the European art market in the 1990s. Property of a Buckinghamshire, UK, gentleman.