Roman Bronze Penannular Brooch

A D-section silver hoop with flared shoulders, flat scaphoid plaque with openwork scrolls to the edges, scroll detailing to the plaque, inset glass bezel with intaglio image of Mercury in petasos standing with caduceus and marsupium(?) in his right hand. 20.69 grams, 33.42 mm overall, 21.22 x 15.43 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L 1/2, USA 6, Europe 11.87, Japan 11)



Ex property of a London gentleman; acquired in the 1980s.

Hollow-formed, no handle, but the rear bulging tubular part of the basin may have served as such; body in the shape of a comic theater mask with large open mouth; filling-hole on forehead, knit eyebrows with jolly expression and large open mouth functioning as a wick-hole; crown of foliage and fruits; flat raised oval base. 38 grams, 67 mm



From the collection of Mr W.A. Stewart, Director of School of Arts and Crafts, Cairo, 1919-1929. Acquired Christie's, London, Antiquities, Works of Art and Important Renaissance Bronzes, Plaquettes and Limoges Enamels, 8 July 1981, no.126 (part). From a private Wiltshire, UK, collection. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's catalogue page.

Lamps with figurines first appeared in the Hellenistic period, possibly originating in Athens, since the 2nd century B.C. Found in all parts of the Mediterranean basin, they were particularly popular during the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D. The Silenus face types were linked to the Bacchic cult. The crown of leaves and fruit across the forehead alludes to Bacchus or one of his followers.

Carved in the round, S-curved in profile with scale detailing and grimacing gryphon's face; ledge to rear of head to support a tabletop. 19.56 kg, 35 cm



Acquired from Robert Evans, who in turn acquired from Sir Arthur Evans of the Ashmolean Museum. From the private collection of a Somerset gentleman.