Roman Bronze Phallic Fertility Symbol Group

Comprising mixed artefacts including: bronze brooches, mounts, implements, a bell, a stylus, and others, most fragmentary; an iron razor and a group of glass fragments. 450 grams total, 1.5-12.4 cm



Acquired in the 1980s-1990s. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman.

With squat columnar body, irregular flattened base, everted rim. 52.9 grams, 58 mm high



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

Modelled in relief with openwork elements, stylised detailing to both figures; hollow reverse. 182 grams, 10.2 cm high



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Hollow cast bronze images of Eros riding a lion are linked to the Eastern Levant and have been found for example in Tamna, probably a Roman import. The importance of long-distance contacts within the Eastern Mediterranean areas was rapidly reflected in provincial artistic styles, probably as soon as in Hellenistic times, at the beginning of the third century B.C., possibly even earlier. The unquestionable Greek influence led a number of scholars to define three main styles for the bronzes discovered in the eastern Roman provinces: a local type and iconography locally produced, Greek or Roman imports, and Oriental, Hellenistic, or Roman style, locally produced.