Roman Bronze Mount with Helmetted Bust

With bifid openwork shoulders and cupped cell, inset cabochon garnet. 3.38 grams, 22.73 mm overall, 16.13 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K 1/2, USA 5 1/2, Europe 10.58, Japan 10)



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

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.

Each a hollow-formed sheet-gold panel with bull-head detailing to both faces, pierced at the ears for suspension. 1.21 grams total, 14 mm each



Ex Galerie Dominique Thirion, Brussels, Belgium. From the private collection of Mr K.A.