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LOT 0775
Roman Bronze Mouse Statuette
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
1 1/2 in. (29.2 grams, 40 mm).
Shown with semi-naturalistic detailing in a crouching posture, eating a nut held in its front paws. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a London collection; acquired on the UK and European art markets before 2001.
LiteratureCf. Durham, E., Metal Figurines in Roman Britain, vol. 2, Reading, 2010, item 293, for type.
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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Large Roman Marble Bull's Head Sculpture
Circa 2nd century B.C.- 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,080
Life-size bull's head (bucranium) on a rectangular field with flattened upper face and small ledge overhang; modelled in the half-round with detailed eyes, muzzle and dewlap, plain background; tooled texture to the forehead and dewlap; Eastern Empire. 98 kg, 51 cm
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. 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 number no.12081-213373.
The bucranium was used as a prominent motif on the exterior of Graeco-Roman temples where it replaced the use of genuine severed heads from the sacrificial rites. Garlands were draped over the heads on feast-days and occasions of special religious observance. The flattened upper face suggests an architectural use, perhaps as a corbel. -
Roman Bronze Figure of a Military Eagle
Circa 2nd century A.D.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,500
Naturalistically modelled in the round, standing with wings folded against the body, head turned left, feather detailing and recessed circular eyes; feet absent. 111 grams, 62 mm
Acquired in Europe before 2001. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11857-206794. -
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Roman Marble Head of Hercules Wearing the Nemean Lion Skin
Imperial, circa 1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800
Modelled with naturalistic features, gazing left, sculpted pupils and strong lids; luxuriant beard and moustache framing the face; strong forehead with tightly formed curls emerging from beneath the lion's skin hood; the hood with clear eye detailing and the mane with regularly arranged tufts; original iron pin to the front of the muzzle; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 8 kg total, 28.5 cm including stand
Private Germany collection, 1981. with Gorny and Mosch, 19 June 2013, no.3. Ex A.S.collection, Florida, USA. 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 number no.12085-214457.
The head is a Roman copy of a Hellenistic original, of ‘Palazzo Pitti/Wilton House’ type depicting Hercules wearing the skin of the Nemean lion with the paws of the lion crossed upon the breast, his left arm holding the club and the right hand holding the golden apples of Hesperides. The representation of a slight movement of the head also shows elements of the Lysippean Antalya-Borghese type (example from the Archaeological Museum of Naples with the head covered by the Nemean lion skin).
