Roman Bronze Standing Deer Statuette

On burnt sard or carnelian, the goddess fully draped, seated on a throne without a back and holding out wheat ears in her hand over what seems like a small conical altar with horns. 1.40 grams, 18 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.

Ceres was a goddess of agriculture, maternal relationships and fertility, and represents transition, motherhood and nurture. She was also the only one of ancient Rome's agricultural deities to be listed amongst the Dii Consentes, the Roman equivalent to the Twelve Olympians of Greek mythology.

Comprising five with round-section bodies and squared terminals; the surfaces decorated with engraved lines and dots. 73 grams total, 63-66 mm



From the family collection of a Surrey gentleman since before 1960.

Bracelets were worn in Rome by ladies of rank, but it was considered a mark of effeminacy for civilian men to use such female ornaments (Suetonius, Caligula, 52; Nero, 30). The armillae (or psellia in Greek) were rings and bracelets worn by women in the Graeco-Roman world on both legs and arms. Homer mentions them (elikas) as being part of the hairstyle of the divine Aphrodite, thus giving an almost sacred character to these objects. There were different types, the most common consisting of a more or less thick metal wire, or a flat or cylindrical circle, like our examples.

Tall thin neck with everted rim and double bulb base with flat bottom. 12.4 grams, 11.6 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.