Roman Bronze Phallic Pendant

Comprising a D-section fluted hoop with lateral flanges, expanding shoulders with diagonal line design, bezel set with an oval blue glass intaglio with an amphora. 7.16 grams, 20 mm



Property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, collector. From his private collection since the 1970s; thence by descent circa 2000. Ex private collection of a Bedfordshire gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Comprising a barrel-shaped hematite body with gold-sheet caps to each end with suspension loop above and a central band with similar loop above; the central band with an applied menorah to the centre, lulav, etrog, shofar and incense shovel on the sides; lower edge with small suspension attachments with a horizontal gold wire holding three pomegranate pendants and two amethyst beads, one of the pomegranates retaining its original pearl. 9.67 grams, 37 mm



Private collection, kept in Europe since the 1960s. Accompanied by a positive scientific statement from Striptwist Limited, a London-based company run by historical precious metal specialist Dr Jack Ogden, reference number 190901. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12679-235461. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Clad in a symmetrically incised late Roman toga, which was originally painted; the right hand covered by the robe and resting against his chest, the now lost left hand probably held a rank symbol or a scroll; short hair, cut according to the style of the Tetrarchy, wide eyes and pronounced lips; beard extended under the chin and on the throat; crepida sandal of Greek typology still visible on the right foot. 700+ kg, 206 cm including base

Fine condition. An impressive museum-quality display piece.

Acquired by L.H., Munich, Germany, prior to 1982. with H.v.C., Munich, Germany, in 1982, forming a central part of their family collection during the 1980s. Thence by descent to his son, C.M., Switzerland. Accompanied by a copy of a German cultural export licence. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. Accompanied by a geological report No. TL3253 by geology consultant Dr R. L. Bonewitz. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12089-211955. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

This statue of a Roman magistrate represents a high-ranking citizen with political and ritual responsibilities. The stylised facial features date it to the period of the Tetrachy under the Emperor Diocletian (284-305 A.D.), when representation of the human form began to show a concern for geometry and symmetry. A similar style can be seen in official portraits of Diocletian, Galerius, Constantinus Chlorus, and Maximianus Herculius. Despite the stylisation typical of the era, however, the sculptor of this lot has taken pains to add personal details, such as the dimpled chin and creased forehead. Its powerful resemblance to Imperial portraiture stems from the desire of magistrates to emulate emperors in the way they represented themselves. This is a piece of outstanding quality, and unlike other Late Roman sculptures, in which a portrait head is often attached to an earlier body, it appears to have been created as a whole. It shows exceptional attention to detail, including in the magistrate’s beautifully carved footwear. It is likely to represent an official of an Eastern Empire city, either in Greece or Illyria.