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LOT 0723
Roman Bronze Neptune Statuette
1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
2 3/8 in. (37 grams, 60 mm).
Standing nude with arms raised, legs in advancing pose. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom 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.
Cf. Boucher, S. & Tassinari, S., Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine a Lyon: Bronzes Antiques I. Inscriptions, Statuaire, Vaisselle, Lyon, 1976, item 54, for similar figure of Neptune, item 61, for similar figure of Sucellus.
FootnotesThe condition of the statuette does not allow a easy identification of its original characterization, but the position of the body shows a certain affinity with provincial statuettes of the god Neptune, especially produced in Gallo-Roman ateliers. Some statuettes of Sucellus, the Gallic divinity assimilated into the Roman Pantheon as the equivalent of the Dispater, brother of Jupiter, could possibly also bear resemblance with our statuette for the position of the body.
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
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Roman Marble Portrait of a Boy as Worshipper of Isis
Early 3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £17,550
Carved head of a prepubescent worshipper of Isis, with soft facial features, long nose, small downturned mouth, heavy-lidded eyes, the whole giving the face a sombre or mournful appearance; the hair textured to indicate a short cut and combed forward across the scalp, sidelock above the right ear; mounted on a 16th century carved breccia upper body with leather cuirass and pteruges to right shoulder, cloak draped across the shoulders and fastened at the clavicle on the right side with a disc-brooch; socle base; some restoration. 19.6 kg total, 51.5 cm including stand
North German private collection, 1970s, and thence by descent. Antiquities, Bonhams, London, 5 October 2011, no.136. 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.12185-222445.
The child is depicted as a worshipper of Isis with the right side of the head signalling that the boy was a devotee of the goddess’s cult. The head of the boy is probably a funerary portrait, and it is clearly in the first half of 3rd century style. Its resemblance to the portrait of Gordian III on the so-called sarcophagus of Acilia is impressive, so much so that this was probably the reason for which the head was incorporated within a military bust in the 16th century. -
Roman Silver Gilt Bow Brooch
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Reversed fantail type with ribbed bulbs above and below the bow formed as three plain bulbs, pelta-shaped foot with long catch to the reverse, spring and pin intact. 17.9 grams, 38 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Roman Gold Bell-Shaped Earring Pair
1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £767
Each a hollow-formed sphere with dimple to the upper edge and discoid plaque extending to an S-curved wire dangle. 7.5 grams total, 28-31 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.