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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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Large Roman Tinned Bronze Patera
1st century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £444
With a deep bowl and flat-section handle with integral loop; shallow concentric grooves around the exterior of the neck, rolled rim, concentric rings to the underside; finished on a lathe; cracked and split. 903 grams, 33 cm wide
Acquired in Europe before 1993. Private collection, Europe. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11788-206494.
In contrast to their elaborate counterparts, paterae such as this were likely carried as part of the standard kit of Roman soldiers, used as a general cooking and eating utensil. The regular heap up (sarcina) of the legionaries is well represented on the reliefs of Trajan's column. It was composed of a T stake (furca), to which a linen bag (sacculus) was hung, as well as the leather haversack for 15-20 days supplies (trinum nundinum) and personal effects, a pot (ollula), a cup (patera), and a basket for work on the fields. -
Roman 'Wiltshire' Lead Dice Gaming Piece
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Cuboid with impressed point markings disposed 1:5, 2:3, 4:6; with old collector's record card. 44.8 grams, 22 mm
Found Wiltshire, UK. From the important private collection of dice and gaming pieces of Colin Narbeth, London, UK, collection no.65. Accompanied by a Colin Narbeth catalogue identification card. -
Roman Bronze Distaff with Bird Finial
4th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
Comprising a slender stem with collar and baluster above the attachment loop; perching bird finial with incised plumage detailing. 28 grams, 18.5 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.
