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LOT 0181
Roman Bronze Lion Statuette
2ND-4TH CENTURY A.D.
3 1/4 in. (104 grams, 84 mm).
Of slender form, modelled standing right on a bar, right paw held aloft, stylised face and mane detailing.
Provenance‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.
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 Gold Pendant with Cameo
2nd century A.D.Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £750
An oval box setting with flange rim, set with a female cameo bust; gusseted suspension loop to top edge. 4.03 grams, 26 mm
From the collection of a Cambridge lady, 1990s. -
Roman Solid Gold Ring with Dotted Bezel
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
With facetted shank and fluted shoulders, rectangular bezel with outer bands and central plaque bearing two lines of impressed points. 5.97 grams, 23.03 mm overall, 16.64 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G, USA 3 1/4, Europe 4.92, Japan 4)
From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s. -
Roman Bronze Spanish Military Monkey Statuette
4th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £444
Modelled seated on a polygonal base wearing a paenula, the right hand placed on the left shoulder, head tilted to one side, right hand placed on a stela or lantern. 23.9 grams, 34 mm
‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.
The monkey is bearing a military sagum with cucullus and is holding beside him a squared lucerna. This representation can be a Roman military mascot or simply a grotesque. In 2001 in Spain, at Llivia, remains of Barbary apes with military belt buckles typically related to the late Roman period were discovered. The discovery of this type of belt buckle in a human grave would suggest that they were once a part of this army, so the fact that some were given to a Barbary ape means that the apes may have played a military role, for example, acted as targets to distract the enemy, or had a combat or defence role. Apes were also a common form of pet in the Graeco-Roman world.
