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LOT 0745
Roman Bronze Lion Head Finial
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
2 5/8 in. (159 grams, 67 mm).
Hollow-formed on a tubular shank with raised rim, modelled with dense curls to the mane, mouth open and tongue protruding.
ProvenanceAcquired in Europe in 1994.
European private collection.
Cf. Beutler, F. et al., Der Adler Roms. Carnuntum und der Armee der Cäsaren, Bad-Deutsch Altenberg, 2017, item 174, for type.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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Roman Pale Blue Glass Unguentarium
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
With piriform lower body, extended cylindrical neck and flange rim; iridescent surfaces. 25.4 grams, 12 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Roman Bronze Statuette Head of Mercury
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Wearing a broad-brimmed petasos with wings above, curls of hair beneath, youthful features. 41 grams, 31 mm
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.
Mercury was the god of trade and industry, whose principle shrine in the city of Rome was at the Circus Maximus. Originally he was one of the gods of riches and profit and it was not until he was equated with the Greek Hermes that he became the god of tradesmen and merchants. He was also the god of thieves and was associated with healing mainly in Gaul where he had a number of important temples connected to sacred springs. -
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Large Roman Marble Bull's Head Sculpture
Circa 2nd century B.C.- 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,080
Life-size bull's head (bucranium) on a rectangular field with flattened upper face and small ledge overhang; modelled in the half-round with detailed eyes, muzzle and dewlap, plain background; tooled texture to the forehead and dewlap; Eastern Empire. 98 kg, 51 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. 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.12081-213373.
The bucranium was used as a prominent motif on the exterior of Graeco-Roman temples where it replaced the use of genuine severed heads from the sacrificial rites. Garlands were draped over the heads on feast-days and occasions of special religious observance. The flattened upper face suggests an architectural use, perhaps as a corbel.
