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LOT 0668
Roman Bronze Nibbling Mouse Statuette
1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/4 in. (29 grams, 33 mm).
Modelled with naturalistic detailing on all fours as if nibbling at food held between the forepaws, curled tail.
Provenance‘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.
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 Gold Ring with Gem Depicting Alexander the Great Hunting
3rd century A.D.Estimate: £30,000 - 40,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £16,667
Composed of a large openwork hoop and bezel set with a jasper gemstone, intaglio image of a mounted cavalryman wearing a high-crested pseudo Corinthian helmet and holding a barbed javelin in his hand, protecting his horse from the leaping lion attacking from the rear, a tree behind. 33.97 grams, 31.98 mm overall, 20.67 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)
Acquired on the New York art market in 1995. Ex French collection. with Christie's, London, 25th April 2007, lot 187. Important North West London collection. Accompanied by a copy of a French cultural passport no.079872. 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 a search certificate number no.11775-204565.
The massive size, shape and the volute decoration is typical of the 3rd century A.D. and similar rings are visible in the collections of the British Museum and Mainz State Museum. The subject of the intaglio is made with great skill, exquisite artistry and engraved in fine detail. The lion hunt theme is typical of the Hellenistic world since the time of Alexander the Great. -
Roman Reused Inked Wooden Wax Tablet Relating to Sheep and Clothing
4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,150
The shallow recessed panel displaying seventeen lines of hand-inked cursive text; reverse bearing twenty lines of hand-inked cursive text with a shallow rectangular vertical recess which once held wax seals; pierced twice on the upper and lower edges for attachment. 50 grams, 19.5 x 16 cm
From an important London collection since 1975.
Prof. Dr. Phil. Peter Rotenhoefer says: "The tablet is the second tabula of a testament consisting normally of three tablets (a tryptich). It contains in a highly formalistic legal language legacies for various persons (inter alia a Iulia) who receive certain items like e.g. sheep and clothes. 17 lines of cursive script on the first page, 20 lines on the rear." -
Roman Burnt Carnelian Gemstone with Mars and Minerva
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £444
The oval intaglio with Mars Ultor and Minerva facing each other; Mars to the left with a spear in raised left hand, armed with helmet, armour and sword, his right hand resting on the shield beside him; Minerva to the right, wearing a helmet, shield and aegis. 0.87 grams, 14 mm
Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.
Mars Ultor and Minerva were both linked with Roman war imagery. Mars represented military power, the strength of the army and violence in battle, Minerva strategy, tactics and intelligence in war. All these qualities were complementary and necessary to win the war. The gemstone was probably a gift for a soldier.
