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LOT 0123
Roman Bronze Statuette of Mercury
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
3 7/8 in. (69 grams total, 98 mm including stand).
Shown standing nude with caduceus resting against the left forearm, a patera in the right hand, bunched lobes and centre-parted hairstyle; mounted on a custom-made display stand. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000.
From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
Cf. Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, items 27ff., for type.
FootnotesMercury is one of the most widespread divinities among the votive statuettes of Roman Age. The god of the Roman pantheon was similar to the Greek Hermes and the Etruscan Turms.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Roman Bronze Figure of Fortuna
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
The goddess standing, wearing an Ionic chiton and himation, the folds cascading to the floor; her left hand holding a cornucopia supported on her forearm and shoulder, her right hand extended, her centre-parted wavy locks fastened with a band, pulled back in a chignon at the nape of her neck and surmounted by a modius; mounted on a custom-made display stand with collector's label to the underside. 230 grams total, 99 mm including stand
From an old French collection. Acquired from Gallery Drees Archéo, 2008. Ex Gilles Grimm collection. Property of a French collector. Accompanied by a copy of the 2008 invoice. -
Roman Marble Cicada Fragment
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Fragment of carved marble arcade with reserved cicada modelled in the half-round at the base; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 1.07 kg total, 16.8 cm high including stand
From the property of the late Mr SM, London, UK, 1969-1999. -
Late Roman Bronze Oil Lamp with Duck Head Handle
5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
Hollow-formed slipper-shaped oil lamp with central filler hole and short nozzle, basal ring; the handle formed as a duck's head with open beak. 143 grams, 87 mm
Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1A 2JB, 1998-2003. Property of a London based academic, 2003-present.
The lamp belongs to the category of lamps with flattened spherical bodies, that have a certain number of variations in their nozzle, handle, lid and base designs. The most common form, like here, is that in which the body is heightened towards the front to form the nozzle. Many examples have oyster shell shaped lids which are connected to the body with hinges.
