Roman Bronze Knife Handle with Boar's Head

Carved in relief in oval form, with stylised features. 0.89 grams, 11 mm



Ex private collection, 1980s. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s.

Turquoise is a very rare material for Roman cameos.

The bowl with a wide flat bottom and convex sides; the inside with incised concentric circles; flat handle with raised edges and hooked finial for suspension. 483 grams, 39.5 cm



German private collection, Mr O., collecting in the 1950s-1960s; thence by descent. with Bonhams, London, 7 July 2016, lot 191. 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.11735-201189.

This vessel was part of Roman and provincial bronze instrumentum domesticum, i.e. culinary or domestic utility ware. Such cooking vessels are rare: some are found in central and northern Italy, in Pannonia, Germany and in Britain. The Aylesford Pan, today in the British Museum (inventory no.1886.1112.1), is one of the most important finds. This specimen (Eggers type 130), probably pre-Caesarian or Caesarian, was found in a grave together with a Celtic bucket and a jug.

Retaining its spring pin and catchplate, the horse modelled galloping right, with simple mane detailing; complete. 10.6 grams, 30 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.