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LOT 0712
Roman Bronze Situla
1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
7 7/8 in. (560 grams, 20 cm wide).
Comprising a bell-shaped bowl, everted rim, shallow foot and round-section articulate handle; split, base absent. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.
Cf. Boucher, S. and Tassinari, S., Bronzes Antiques I, Inscriptions, Statuaire, Vaisselle, Paris, 1976, p.129, no.150, for similar vessel.
FootnotesSitula (plural situlae), from the Latin word for bucket or pail, is the term in archaeology and art history for a variety of elaborate bucket-shaped vessels from the Iron Age to the Middle Ages, usually with a handle at the top. Roman styles favoured a simple shape curving from the base, becoming vertical at the top, with a wide mouth and no shoulder, but sometimes with a projecting rim. These had a variety of uses, including aiding with washing and bathing.
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
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Roman Silver-Gilt Military Buckle for an Elite Imperial Officer
4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800
Comprising a rectangular plate, richly decorated with embossed laurel leaves in a grid, framed with raised bosses, the buckle loop comprising opposing dragons with open mouths, holding a spherical tongue-rest, another pair of smaller dragon heads to base, the tongue with a smaller pair of punch-decorated dragon heads. 152 grams, 11.2 cm
Acquired before the 1970s. Ex J.L. collection, Surrey, U.K., thence by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.203881.
Most precious military buckles, like this one, were reserved for soldiers belonging to Legiones Palatinae, i.e. the legions forming part of the imperial Comitatus, accompanying the emperor in his military expeditions. -
Roman Bronze Knife Handle with Boar's Head
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
The stylised boar's head projecting from the terminal of the tapering rectangular-section handle, two registers of incised ornament to both broad faces and 'scale' detailing to the narrow edges. 19.2 grams, 50 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. -
Roman Figural Redware Fragment
Circa 4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Displaying figures at a banquet (symposium) in relief, reclining on couches and being attended by servants; a centaur on the right; repaired. 358 grams, 30 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
Possibly part of a flanged rectangular vessel, like some specimens found in Cilicia. The presence of a centaur in the scene could evoke the famous mythological fable of the centaurs at the banquet of the Lapiths, when the latter, together with the Athenian hero Theseus, offended by the immoral behaviour of the centaurs who had attempted to kidnap the women, slaughtered them all.
