Loading, please wait...

Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge

Details

LOT 0700

Roman Bronze Lion Head Mount

2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.

4 in. (218 grams total, 10 cm high including stand).

Discoid mount with a lion-head modelled in the round to the centre, the beast with fierce expression and gaping jaws; mounted on a custom-made display stand.

Provenance

Private collection of Mr K.A., acquired in the 1990s-early 2000s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Published

Exhibited at the Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 26th May-15th September 2025; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefacts on display.

Literature

Cf. similar appliques in Lăpusan, B., ‘Lion’s head mounts from Roman Dacia’ in Firea, C., Rustoiu, A., Sub Semnul Artei, Studii în onoarea academicianului Marius Porumb la 80 de ani Cluj-Napoca, 2023, pp.395-404, fig.1.

Footnotes

Bronze lions were chosen guardian figures for millennia in both the Greek and Roman worlds. Representations of lions have been discovered in various contexts, appearing on gates and tombs in ancient Greece and on Roman coffins (sarcophagi), where they symbolise victory of the soul over death and evil.

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 0700

Roman Bronze Lion Head Mount

Estimate £400 - 600€460 - 700 (for guidance only)$540 - 810 (for guidance only)

Print page

RELATED LOTS

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

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £338

    With horse-head finials and central ring-and-dot motif; pin and catchplate on the reverse. 16.5 grams, 43 mm



    Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

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

    Estimate: £600 - 800 (‡+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £333

    With rolled rim to each tapering tube, applied trail detailing to the body, lateral angled handles and large applied loop handle above; iridescent surface. 59 grams, 17 cm



    Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12237-222167. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Silver-Gilt Pin with Nude Cupid Holding Bee
    Roman Silver-Gilt Pin with Nude Cupid Holding Bee
    1st-2nd century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £650

    Comprising a tapering shank and square head supporting a nude Cupid in conical hat clutching a winged insect to his chest. 12.31 grams, 76 mm



    Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

    Lot Details

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