Roman Bronze Statue Base Group

With tapering shoulders, inset ellipsoid carnelian intaglio of Mars advancing wearing a Corinthian helmet, carrying a spear and dolabra over one shoulder. 8.06 grams, 21.79 mm overall, 13.64x16.29 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I 1/2, USA 4 1/2, Europe 8.07, Japan 7)



European art market.

With globular body and long tubular neck, dimple base, everted rim with gusset to the outer edge; wheel-cut horizontal lines to the body. 82 grams, 12.5 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1980-1990s.

This bottle belongs to a group of globular bottles with cylindrical necks (some longer than others) and plain or collar-like rims, which are decorated with parallel and/or intersecting circles or combinations of circles and other motifs.

Portion of a carved frieze with reserved border to the upper edge; panel with high-relief carving of youthful Phaethon in profile with mantle and himation, mop of curly hair, right arm extended holding reins extending to the mane of the horse at the right edge; drilled to accept mounting pegs. 1.05 kg, 17.2 cm



Private UK collection. Acquired in the 1980s. Property of a Cambridgeshire gentleman.

In the story, which appears in several versions, Phaethon was the son of Helios the sun-god who asked to validate his parentage by driving his father's chariot. Helios tried to dissuade him, but the youngster would not listen and eventually managed to take control, but was unable to master the horses and the celestial vehicle veered out of control - too close to the ground where it started fires and then too distant so that the ground froze. Eventually, Zeus took remedial action and hurled a thunderbolt, which killed the boy. His dead body fell into the river Eridanus, and his sisters, the Heliades, were turned to black poplar trees while they mourned him.