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LOT 0859
Roman Bronze Miniature Flagon
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
1 5/8 in. (10.9 grams, 42 mm).
With piriform body, short neck, everted rim and strap handle, circumferential bands to the body. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired from Den of Antiquity, Cambridgeshire, UK, 2010.
Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK.
Cf. Beutler, F. et al., Der Adler Roms. Carnuntum und der Armee der Cäsaren, Bad-Deutsch Altenberg, 2017, item 661, for similar type in terracotta.
FootnotesThe small size of this bronze container suggests that it was intended as a toilette object, or as an oil vessel for athletes, generally associated with a strigil. Its could also have been used as a balsamarium.
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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Roman Bronze Statuette of a Germanic Captive
Late 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Modelled in the round in kneeling pose with weight thrust forward, arms at the sides, bare-chested and wearing a short kilt with thick belt; the hair drawn up in the Swabian knot style above the right ear; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 80 grams total, 58 mm 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.
Statuettes of foreign ‘barbarian’ prisoners of this type have been found along the Danube. Their spread coincides with the Marcomannic wars of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The Swabian knot in this warrior’s hair has parallels with the warrior depicted on the contemporary Sarcophagus of Portonaccio, which represents a battle between Romans and Germanic Gauls. -
Roman Bronze Phallic Pendant
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Modelled as an elongated phallus with lateral testis, integral suspension loop above. 10 grams, 36 mm
UK private collection before 2000. On the UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. -
Romano-Egyptian Bronze Coiled Snake Bracelet
30 B.C.-323 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,235
With reef-knot to the underside, S-coiled finials each with a serpent-head; pointillé texture. 41 grams, 75 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.
