Roman Bronze Hound Chasing Hare Folding Knife Handle

The central circular socket flanked by a stylised phallus on one side and an extended arm with clenched fist on the other. 12.8 grams, 57 mm



From the collection of a Cambridge lady, 1990s.

Comprising five with round-section bodies and squared terminals; the surfaces decorated with engraved lines and dots. 73 grams total, 63-66 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.

A piriform jar with everted rim, shallow cross-hatching around the lower body, foot delineated with an incised ring; reconstructed with the use of plasticine. 491 grams, 13.3 cm high



Found Cotham, Newark, Nottinghamshire, UK, in September 2021.