Loading, please wait...
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.
LiteratureSee Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques De Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 262, for a Roman example of small ape statuette.
FootnotesThe 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.
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:
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)
-
Roman Bronze Goddess Statuette Heads
Circa 1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Comprising: a female with hair held in a chignon at the nape; figure with hair dressed in short wavy tufts, large eyes with exaggerated eyelashes. 71 grams total, 23-25 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
Bronze statuettes representing Roman gods and goddesses were widespread all around the empire, and are also known as far as archaeological sites of Jutland and the islands. The two heads represent probably tutela divinities of the home, like Vesta and Juno (Greek Hera). -
Roman Bronze Hod Hill Type Brooch
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
Of unusual style, similar to the Hod Hill type with a rectangular plate, two bulbs above and below, integral spring and pin to the reverse; below the plate a fine extension returned beneath to form the catchplate. 6.56 grams, 50 mm
Acquired 1970s-1980s. From a London brooch collector. -
Roman Ceramic Inkwell
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
Composed of a foot and dished upper face, with two functional perforations. 77 grams, 70 mm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
