Roman Bronze Key Handle in the Shape of a Hand Holding Fruit

Portion of a carved frieze with reserved border to the upper edge; panel with high-relief carving of youthful Phaethon in profile with mantle and himation, mop of curly hair, right arm extended holding reins extending to the mane of the horse at the right edge; drilled to accept mounting pegs. 1.05 kg, 17.2 cm



Private UK collection. Acquired in the 1980s. Property of a Cambridgeshire gentleman.

In the story, which appears in several versions, Phaethon was the son of Helios the sun-god who asked to validate his parentage by driving his father's chariot. Helios tried to dissuade him, but the youngster would not listen and eventually managed to take control, but was unable to master the horses and the celestial vehicle veered out of control - too close to the ground where it started fires and then too distant so that the ground froze. Eventually, Zeus took remedial action and hurled a thunderbolt, which killed the boy. His dead body fell into the river Eridanus, and his sisters, the Heliades, were turned to black poplar trees while they mourned him.

P-shaped bow brooch with crossbar and knop above, bow in three parallel bars, triangular-section waisted foot and carinated leaf-shaped finial; hinged pin and catch to reverse. 11.8 grams, 47 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.

With ellipsoid bezel, pointillé border enclosing Greek text 'ΔΙΟΓ/ΕΝΩ' '[property] of Diogenes'. 7.21 grams, 25.66 mm overall, 20.51 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/4, Europe 20.63, Japan 19)



Private collection, England.