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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 Silver Snake Head Bracelet
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
With narrow D-section shank and lobe terminals with punched snake-head detailing. 6.84 grams, 50 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
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Roman Children's Leather Shoe Collection
Circa 1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800
Comprising: the sole of a carbatina type shoe, formed as two thick layers of leather with a third, thinner layer beneath, slits to the upper face to accept securing straps and punched ornamentation (lines of concentric-ring motifs), underside with a line of domed iron studs to the outer edge and others at he middle of the sole and heel; a soft shoe made from a single piece of leather with pierced triangular tags to the open upper face, the toe and heel sewn so that the seam does not contact the ground; a similar soft shoe with openwork sides resembling arcading, no covering at the toes, heel sewn. 150 grams total, 13-17.5 cm
Found City of London, UK. Acquired from mudlark Steve Brooker in the early 2000s. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985. Accompanied by several original handwritten letters regarding the conservation of the shoes. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12093-214631.
In Great Britain, examples of carbatinai dated to the last quarter of the 1st century A.D. have been found in Castleford. Others dated to the 2nd century have been found in London and Bar Hill. Carbatinae were often worn by children: two well-preserved specimens were discovered at the Vindolanda fort, which housed a mixed population of soldiers and their families. -
Roman Bronze Patera with Maker's Mark for Licinius
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,820
With drum-shaped bowl and thick rim developing to a short handle with pierced lobe finial; stamped to the upper face of the handle with maker's name '[.]OIYBI'; to the underside of the base, pointillé legend 'LICINI[...]V'. 242 grams, 19.5 cm
Acquired from Munich and London, 1990s. From the collection of a London, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12064-217904.
The owner of the patera seems to be a certain Licinius. In contrast to more elaborate counterparts, paterae such as this were likely carried as part of the standard kit of Roman soldiers, used as a general cooking and eating utensil.
