Roman Bronze Leopard Finial

Each a D-section disc with central triskele and coiled arms, segmented detailing to the outer face. 340 grams total, 10-10.2 cm



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.

The two mounts are elements of horse harness decorating the antilena and postilena of the horse, as intersection fittings of the main straps. According to Alfoldi, these horse harnesses were the product of a metallurgy that was the fruit of a Gallo-Roman revival, and not exclusively of military nature. The military adopted similar elements fruit of the revival of this Celtic-Roman decorative art, since such harnesses have also been discovered in border fortresses. But the large industrial centers, which worked for export, manufactured objects primarily for the Danubian regions where both the soldiers and the civilian population, without distinction of class, used them as habitual objects.

Ellipsoid pendant, hollow to the reverse with high-relief mask of Dionysus flanked by vine leaves and bunches of grapes. 6.2 grams, 23 mm



From the glyptic collection of Mr X; thence by descent. Acquired Hotel des Ventes, Drouot, Eve SVV, Paris, France, 28 June 2017, no.147 (Part). Property of a French collector.

An amuletic pendant with rectangular plaque and flat-section suspension coil; pointillé detailing to the surface, two reserved facing figures in ankle-length robes, parcel-gilt. 2.04 grams, 36 mm



From the collection of a London antiquarian, formed since the 1980s.