Roman Bronze Statuette of a Reclining Bull

Standing with her weight on her right leg, the left leg slightly bent, looking towards her left; the hair gathered at the nape of the neck; dressed in a short pleated sleevelesschiton, puffed up at the waist and falling above her knees, small boots with the strings tied above the ankles; carrying a quiver held by a strap passing over the right shoulder across her breasts; her lowered left arm was probably holding a bow, her right arm raised above her shoulder in the act of drawing an arrow from her quiver; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 155 grams total, 12.5 cm high including stand



Ex Mr. A.J. collection, Geneva, Switzerland. Acquired in Europe in 2014. Private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11793-206487

This example depicts a well-attested type of Diana (Greek Artemis) goddess of the hunt. The slight swaying and the folds of the garment recall a Greek work of the classical period, widely copied by the Romans. The statuette is a good artwork from the Roman period, with identical copies spread throughout the empire, as many similar figures came from Naples, Bligny-sur-Dache, Trebizond, Carnuntum, and Vienna. The statuette was probably intended for a domestic altar (lararium).

Rectangular in shape with heavy loop, a snake riding a horse stepping on an altar to one face, trident motif to verso; chipped, clanger absent. 370 grams, 10.3 cm high



Ex old English collection. London art market, 1980s.

Formed with stub wings, a hooked beak and circular eyes, tail folded under the body,tail feathers and a speckled or ruffled breast underlined by moulded textures; iron loop embedded in the reverse face. 700 grams, 11.2 cm



Ex Nigel Mills, London, UK.

The iron loop of the back may suggest this was attached to a vessel or other receptacle. Greek mythology associated the small white bird with Aphrodite, the goddess of love (known in Roman mythology as Venus). Venus is often depicted with doves fluttering around her or resting on her hand.