Roman Bronze Sitting Bear

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 the 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.

Of unusual style, similar to the Hod Hill type with a rectangular plate, two bulbs above and below, integral spring and pin to the reverse; below the plate a fine extension returned beneath to form the catchplate. 6.56 grams, 50 mm



Acquired 1970s-1980s. From a London brooch collector.

Formed in the round on a curved base, semi-naturalistic anatomical and facial detailing; circular socket to base of neck and base. 65 grams, 47 mm



‘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.