Roman Bronze Implement Collection

Modelled in the round in kneeling pose with weight thrust forward, arms at the sides, bare-chested and wearing a short kilt with thick belt; the hair drawn up in the Swabian knot style above the right ear; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 80 grams total, 58 mm including stand



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.

Statuettes of foreign ‘barbarian’ prisoners of this type have been found along the Danube. Their spread coincides with the Marcomannic wars of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The Swabian knot in this warrior’s hair has parallels with the warrior depicted on the contemporary Sarcophagus of Portonaccio, which represents a battle between Romans and Germanic Gauls.

Comprising a pierced bulb finial and tapering shank with horizontal bands, ribbed median section and flat panel with perpendicular pierced disc finia; inscribed with Latin letters 'LV. HINT'. 25 grams, 84 mm



Acquired on the London, UK, art market in the 1990s. From a gentleman's private collection.

The fragment is possibly the upper part of a sharp pointed retractor, which was used for delicate operations on the tonsils and other internal parts of the body. The inscription probably refers to the name of the doctor, possibly LV[CIV]S HINT[IUS].

Comprising a bulbous body with balustered stem and flared foot; band of pointillé ornament to the lower body. 30.7 grams, 43 mm



Acquired from Red House Antiques, York, UK, 2010. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK.