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LOT 0123
Roman Bronze Mercury Statuette
2ND CENTURY A.D.
4 1/4 in. (123 grams total, 10.8 cm including stand).
Standing nude in contrapposto stance with winged petasos over his neat hair; left hand modelled open to accept a patera, right hand holding the marsupium coin-purse; free-running bronze arm-ring; mounted on a custom-made stand. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceIdentified as Roman by the British Museum on 8th January 1996.
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.
Cf. Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, items 34,37, 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 Mosaic Glass Fragment Collection
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Comprising fragments from various different types of vessels, mostly polychrome mosaic glass, and examples with trails. 137 grams total, 7-60 mm
From the collection of Mr N.A., Brussels, 1970s. -
Roman Silver Horse Head Whorl Brooch
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
A swastika-shaped fibula with horse-head decoration, each head with punched ring-and-dot eye, a similar motif to the centre, catchplate and pin hinge to verso. 10.8 grams, 37 mm
Property of the vendor's grandfather, thence by family descent, circa 1985. From the private collection of a New York, USA gentleman.
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. -
Roman Gilt Bronze Phalera with Theseus and the Minotaur
2nd century B.C.- 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Domed roundel with high-relief design of combat between a bearded hero and a monster, wreath and rosettes to the rim. 32 grams, 49 mm
Found near Sedgeford, Norfolk, UK, in the 1980s. Acquired in the late 1990s. Property of a Norfolk, UK, collector.
According to the legend, Theseus, prince of Athens, went to the island of Crete to kill a monster who was the son of queen Pasiphae and a wild bull, although officially he was the son of Minos and Pasiphae. Theseus chased him into the labyrinth, killed him and found his way out with the help of the comb of Ariadne, daughter of King Minos. The myth has its representation in the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic period, and was widely depicted in the Graeco-Roman world. The present repoussé appliqué was probably used as a furniture or horse harness ornament.
