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LOT 0780
Roman Bronze Military Staff Finial with Standing Figure
1ST CENTURY A.D.
4 3/8 in. (21.8 grans, 11.2 cm).
Sheet bronze with repoussé design of a youthful maiden standing with her right hand raised to her hair, let hand relaxed caressing a draped textile banner; wearing a palla gathered at the waist and bloused, with a strap to the right shoulder.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Cf. undecorated type in the collection of the British Museum under accession no.1982,0103.222.
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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LOT 0780
Roman Bronze Military Staff Finial with Standing Figure
Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
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Roman Bronze Bust Mount of Mercury
1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Modelled in the half round with winged head; hollow reverse. 17.6 grams, 31 mm
Acquired on the UK market, 1990s. Property of a retired academic. -
Roman Bronze Spanish Military Monkey Statuette
4th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £444
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. 23.9 grams, 34 mm
‘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.
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 may have played a military role, for example, acted as targets to distract the enemy, or had a combat or defence role. Apes were also a common form of pet in the Graeco-Roman world. -
Roman Terracotta Vase with Spiral Decorated Base
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
A fine flat bottomed flask with tall neck and rounded rim, the spiral design to the base surrounded by hatching. 67 grams, 12.7 cm
From the important family collection of the late M.N., pre 1992.
