Roman Bronze Military Belt Hook for Quiver

Modelled in the round with rounded childlike features, band of curly hair framing the flat face with sunken eyes garland and leaves in the hair, pounced detail to the clothing; attachment bar to the reverse. 53 grams, 52 mm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

Formed as a dolphin with hollow-formed curved body attached at the mouth to the base; standing on the dolphin's lower back, a grotesque bearded figure of Silenus with a furry body, and with a rope tied around his waist, his arms spread holding a cymbal in each hand; stub to the rear where the dolphin's tail joined to form a loop; mounted on a custom-made stand. 370 grams total, 17.5 cm including stand



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.

Silenus is here represented as Papposilenus, a representation of Silenus that emphasises his old age, particularly as a stock character in satyr play or comedy. His costuming includes a body stocking tufted with hair (mallōtos chitōn) that seems to have come into use in the mid-5th century B.C.

Matched pair, each a slender hoop with hook-and-eye closure, dangle with green glass tubular bead and provision for another similar bead. 3.6 grams total, 35-38 mm



Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman.