Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0738

Roman Bronze Ladle with Loop Handle

2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.

9 in. (66 grams, 23 cm).

With deep bowl, integral square-section handle and loop finial. [No Reserve]

Provenance

UK private collection before 2000.
UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.

Literature

Cf. Tassinari, S., La Vaisselle de Bronze, Romaine et Provinciale, au Musée des Antiquités Nationales, XXIXe supplément de Gallia, Paris, 1975, items 40-3, for similar ladles with animal-head finials; cf. also Boucher, S., Inventaire des Collections Publiques Françaises - 17 Vienne: Bronzes Antiques, Paris, 1971, pp.168-169, for similar specimens.

Footnotes

This type of ladle was used for libations of wine to the gods during sacrifices. The shape of the simpulum was that of a small cup, with a single elongated handle. The material of which it was made varied according to the wealth of the altar; there were specimens in silver; some were of brass and others made of wood or terracotta. This simpulum or simpuvium is often found depicted on Roman medals or coins, like a denarius of Augustus (2 B.C.-2 A.D.).

CONDITION

VETTING:

TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0738

Roman Bronze Ladle with Loop Handle

Sold for (Inc. bp): £338

Print page

RELATED LOTS

  • Roman Bronze Horse Head Whorl Brooch
    Roman Bronze Horse Head Whorl Brooch
    3rd-4th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £85

    Swastika-shaped fibula with horse-head decoration, each head with punched ring-and-dot eye, a similar motif to the centre. 16.7 grams, 45 mm



    Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.

    In the 3rd century A.D., several examples of fibulae in the shape of four horses’ heads forming a swastika (type Almgren 232) seem to be related to the creation of the Illyrian cavalry corps in Roman army. Many examples of these military fibulae were found in ancient Roman Dacia (Romania), in Roman Illyricum and Moesia.

    Lot Details

  • Romano-Parthian Ring with Trader and Seated Child
    Romano-Parthian Ring with Trader and Seated Child
    1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £52

    With round-section hoop, ellipsoid bezel, intaglio representing a Parthian trader with a child seated. 4.26 grams, 22.90 mm overall, 19.01 x 18.83 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)



    UK private collection before 2000. UK art market. Property of a London gentleman.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Glass Candlestick Unguentarium
    Roman Glass Candlestick Unguentarium
    2nd-3rd century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £130

    Tall thin translucent pale green vessel with wide foot and dimpled base, tapering stem and flared rim. 18.6 grams, 15 cm



    Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list