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LOT 0133
Roman Bronze Standing Figure of Priapus
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
2 1/2 in. (31.7 grams total, 63 mm including stand).
Modelled in the round standing, wearing a paenula, his two hands holding up the hem to support a pile of fruits on his erect penis; mounted on a custom-made stand.
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of Mr K.A., acquired in the 1990s-early 2000s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 136, for type.
FootnotesThis is one of the most characteristic representations of Priapus: standing, with long, smooth hair, his head covered by a traveller's pilos (usually made of felt). With his hands he raises his tunic revealing his phallus, a symbol of fertility and good luck, and carries the first fruits of the earth on the hem of his tunic.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Black Glass Bead Necklace String
1st-4th century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £65
A designer necklace composed of mainly oblate beads, central feature composed of large barrel-shaped bead with a suspended glass ring below; restrung. 14.9 grams, 30.3 cm
From the London, UK, art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
In the Roman period there was a strong formal and chromatic diversity of glass beads used for necklaces and bracelets. The most common beads in forms were small biconical (lenticular), barrel-shaped, spherical and annular; the most common colours were dark blue, followed by green and yellow. The succession of glass beads often imitates jewellery made of costly materials (gold, silver, semi-precious and precious stones). Green, blue-green, blue, yellow, and black drawn and rounded glass beads (like here) are late Roman types. -
Late Roman Bird in Flight Plate Brooch
6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Aviform brooch with inset panels to to wings, tail and head to accept enamel; pin-lug and catchplate below. 6.19 grams, 39 mm
Property of a gentleman; acquired in the 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Roman Inked Wooden Tablet Regarding the Marriage between Donatilla and Iulius Donatillus and the Gift of a Slave Girl
Late 318 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,050
Well preserved rectangular tablet inscribed in Roman cursive script on one side, the text documents legal acts in the context of a wedding: first a counter-promise concerning the dowry between the father of the bride together with the bride, Donatilla, on the one hand and the groom on the other; then a gift from the bride's mother to her daughter, a 6 year old young slave girl, the transfer taking the form of a mancipatio with Iulius Rogatianus as scale holder (libripens) and with the involvement of witnesses. 86 grams, 24.5 x 14.2 cm
Acquired by Albert Sfez in the early 1950s. Formerly the property of Monsieur Alain Sfez, a Belgian collector; acquired by gift from his father Albert Sfez, in 1965. Acquired by a London dealer in 1973. From an important London collection since 1975; thence by descent. Accompanied by a copy of a three page illustrated academic report by Professor Dr phil. Peter Rothenhöfer. Accompanied by a collection of four old black and white photographs of the the tablet. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12600-230808. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Professor Dr phil. Peter Rothenhöfer writes: 'Without any doubts this tablet is an original document from Roman times. This unique document not only reflects legal practice in the Roman Empire, but is also of great importance for Social History.'
