Roman Bronze Statuette of Isis-Fortuna

Featuring rounded knops to the head, the bow with a dedicatory inscription in Latin letters 'VTER FELIX IURE VICTO'. 19.5 grams, 62 mm



Acquire in the 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

The dedicatory inscription 'VTERE FELIX', 'use it with good luck' or 'with happiness' is often found on Roman military artefacts, like belt fittings, brooches, and armlets; but it is rarely accompanied by 'IURE VICTO' inscription ([being the] rightful winner). The inscription is typical of the late Roman military world, but it can also refer to people using the brooch in civil duties, these fibulae being ordinarily gifted to the militia armata and non armata.

Modelled in the round with semi-naturalistic detailing, standing facing with detailing to the face, horns, tufted coat and hooves. 73 grams, 50 mm



‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.

Comprising a rectangular plate, richly decorated with embossed laurel leaves in a grid, framed with raised bosses, the buckle loop comprising opposing dragons with open mouths, holding a spherical tongue-rest, another pair of smaller dragon heads to base, the tongue with a smaller pair of punch-decorated dragon heads. 152 grams, 11.2 cm



Acquired before the 1970s. Ex J.L. collection, Surrey, U.K., thence by descent. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.203881.

Most precious military buckles, like this one, were reserved for soldiers belonging to Legiones Palatinae, i.e. the legions forming part of the imperial Comitatus, accompanying the emperor in his military expeditions.