Loading, please wait...

Roman Bronze Military Monkey Roman Bronze Military Monkey Roman Bronze Military Monkey
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Details

LOT 0131

Roman Bronze Military Monkey

4TH CENTURY A.D.

1 3/8 in. (23.9 grams, 34 mm).

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.

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.

Literature

See Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques De Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 262, for a Roman example of small ape statuette.

Footnotes

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 played a military role, for example, acted as targets to distract the enemy, or were used in type of a combat or for defence. Apes were also a very common form of pet in the Graeco-Roman world.

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 0131

Roman Bronze Military Monkey

Estimate £800 - 1,000€930 - 1,160 (for guidance only)$1,080 - 1,350 (for guidance only)

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Roman Coin and Limited Edition Framed Print
    Roman Coin and Limited Edition Framed Print
    3rd century A.D. and later

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £13

    The coin mounted on 22 carat gold foil, framed with an art print signed by the artist David McAllister, depicting scenes of Roman military activity; limited edition number 65/1150. 1.3 kg, 36.5 x 49 cm



    Essex gallery, early 2000s.

    David McAllister's exciting design is a 'one of a kind' work that portrays the might and riches of the Roman civilisation. This limited edition print is a celebration of the award winning artist's lifetime dedication to historical paintings of the ancient world. To enhance appreciation of this rare and historic work, each individual print is signed and numbered by the artist.

    Lot Details

  • Large Roman Sheet-Silver Brooch Pair
    Large Roman Sheet-Silver Brooch Pair
    4th-5th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £374

    Each formed as a figure-of-eight-shaped plaque with beaded edge and central bridge, bronze reinforcement to the reverse and ferrous attachment pin. 71.3 grams total, 15-15.2 cm

    Fine condition, edge chipped.

    Acquired on the European art market in the 1990s. Ex property of a Suffolk collector.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Bronze Oinochoe with Lion Protome
    Roman Bronze Oinochoe with Lion Protome
    1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,680

    The conical body decorated with overlapping petal-shaped panels, tapering neck with a wide spout, high arching handle with acanthus leaves, bust of a youthful male with long hair below (possibly Bacchus) the upper part terminating with a lion protome with the extended forelegs resting on the rim of the vessel, the high flaring foot possibly added later. 797 grams, 22.5 cm high

    Excellent condition

    Private collection, Rosenheim, Germany, 1960s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11734-201200.

    Considering the primary function of oinochoe as drinking jugs, the images decorating them were often related to the god of wine, Bacchus, here probably represented as young Dionysus accompanied by a lion.

    Lot Details

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