Roman Bronze Snake-Headed Armilla Bracelet

Modelled in the round, comprising the lower torso and the goat-legs in vigorous motion, the left raised and bent, right leg straight with the genitals leaning against the length of the thigh, stub of the tail to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.4 kg total, 16.5 cm high (24 cm high including stand)



From the collection of Jan Onderdijk, Belgium, before 1980. Acquired by Mr J.R. an antiquarian in the late 1980s. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12022-213655.

Statues of satyrs, relaxing, dancing, and pursuing nymphs proliferated during the third century B.C., as the cult of Dionysus, god of wine and the pleasures it bestows, grew in importance. The Romans appreciated portrayals of Satyrs and Silens, and borrowed them from Greek art, the god Pan being one of the favourite subjects. This statuette is probably a Roman copy from a Hellenistic original, similar to the specimen from the Garimberti collection, where the god, with the left leg firmly planted on the ground and the other leg raised, is carrying a basket of flowers and fruit on his back.

With pierced lobe below the legs, arched body forming the bow. 14.9 grams, 36 mm



Found near Corbridge, Northumberland, UK. Property of a Gloucestershire, UK, collector. Property of an East Sussex, UK, gentleman.

Including equal-arm, bow brooch fragments, and a Romano-British lion bow brooch similar to the one found at Corbridge (lot 891). 21.1 grams total, 28-42 mm



Property of the vendor's grandfather, thence by family descent, circa 1985. From the private collection of a New York, USA gentleman.