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

One with lug handle to rear, discus with filling hole and central panel with high-relief standing figure holding a bow, radiating border to the shoulder; basal ring; one squat with drum-shaped body. D-shaped nozzle, single lateral lug, flared base. 176 grams total, 84-92 mm



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

Modelled in the round and originally part of a monumental statue, the naturalistic right foot encased in a trochades leather sandal with median reversed tongue secured with side straps and thick looped laces; the thick platform sole slightly curved, toes and nails well defined; mounted on a substantial custom-made display stand. 5.84 kg total, foot: 30 cm wide



German art market. European private collection, 1970s-early 2000s. Acquired from the above; thence by descent. Private collection, London, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12176-221443.

The detailed bronze foot with a possible variant of the Greek trochades sandal, known to be a traveller's sandal, is all that remains of the once monumental statue. The trochades was a sturdy traveller's open boot of Greek origin with a flat sole. In the Consular Age it was also used by officers and guardsmen. Roman sandals consisted usually of a leather sole attached to the foot with interlacing thongs.

Squat with squared rim, three stub feet, hole to base. 371 grams, 16.2 cm wide



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.