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LOT 0145
Roman Bronze Stamp for Octavian
CIRCA 1ST CENTURY A.D.
2 1/2 in. (92 grams, 64 mm).
Formed as a tablet-shaped stamp (signaculum), with raised border above and below containing an inscription in Latin in reverse over two lines, reading: 'Q[UINTI] POM [PONII] CRE [SCONII} ? / OCTAVIAN[I]' possibly translating to: 'Of Quintus Pomponius Cresconius Octavianus', this latter being the owner; with a large loop to verso.
ProvenanceFrom an old private collection formed before 1985.
Accompanied by a copy of a previous dealer's certificate of authenticity including provenance.
Cf. Di Stefano Manzella, I., ’Signacula ex aere in officina: aggiornamenti e novitá di una ricerca multidisciplinare’ in Sylloge Epigraphica Barcinonensis x, 2012, pp. 229-246, fig.1, for similar.
FootnotesUsed to stamp documents and a broad range of different materials and food, signacula came into use in the Roman res publica during the 2nd century B.C., becoming both popular and widely used in many areas of everyday life during the Imperial period. These signacula were not exclusively used in the sphere of economy and property administration, but also in public and private sphere, determining the identity of their owners. The bronze stamp - also definable as a tessera, like the wooden one - was an instrumentum vicarium (auxiliary tool) of the annulus signatorius (seal ring), but compared to the annulus, it was much stronger and more practical, capable of leaving a better recognisable imprint. By analogy, the press note of a wooden or terracotta stamp also had an important certifying function, but the object that produced it only lasted a limited time, while the signaculum ex aere (bronze stamp) lasted a lifetime.
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
AUCTIONS:
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Roman Carnelian Composite Goddess Gemstone
Circa 2nd century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £250
With a goddess with the attributes of Victory, Fortuna, Ceres and Iustitia standing wearing a crested helmet and holding a spear; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 1.11 grams, 17 mm
From the collection of a Swiss gentleman formed in Europe from 1970-1980s; thence by descent from the family in London. -
Late Roman Silver-Gilt Triangular Belt Mount with Lions
4th-5th century A.D.Estimate: £350 - 450 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £175
The borders with spiral motifs and running lions, a hole in each corner for fastening pins. 8.97 grams, 60 mm
Acquired early 1990s. From an East Anglian private collection.
By the second half of the 4th century, broad Roman military belts were decorated with chip-carved mounts and plates. The fittings were realised by punching or by chip carving different patterns and motifs. -
Roman Marble Statue Fragment with Feet
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £750
Presenting the hem of a pleated robe, the sandaled feet of the figure emerging from beneath, with semi-naturalistic anatomical detailing, resting on a plain base. 7.1 kg, 24 cm
Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private collection since 1998. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11624-198973.
