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LOT 0893
Roman Bronze Statuette of Mercury
3RD CENTURY A.D.
3 1/2 in. (48 grams total, 89 mm including stand).
Standing erect with right hand extended sideways, left arm hanging at his side supporting a caduceus; mounted on a custom-made 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 34, 43,58, for type.
FootnotesAlthough the statuette seems have been realised in a provincial Gallo-Roman workshop, as demonstrated by the inequality of the treatment of the anatomical dimensions, the movement of the body and head positioned to the right, derive from models of the Alexandrian type.
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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Cabochon with Hebrew Text
Roman, 1st-3rd century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £312
Octagonal in plan and plano-convex in profile, glass cabochon with three lines of calligraphic Hebrew text, possibly a personal seal for someone called Aaron. 2.12 grams, 18 mm
Acquired in the 1980s. From the collection of a London antiquarian. -
Roman Gilt Bronze Crossbow Brooch
3rd-4th century A.D.Estimate: £300 - 400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
With collared onion-knop finials, keeled deep bow and short chamfered foot; pin in situ. 56 grams, 86 mm
Acquired in Switzerland, 1997. Private collection, Europe. -
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A Fine Life-Sized Eastern Roman Bust of a Wealthy Lady
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £28,600
Finely carved in hard white limestone; the facial features framed by swept-back locks of wavy hair enclosed by a loosely draped palla headdress held onto a low turban by a segmented diadem with high-relief ornament, with drop earrings at the sides; a necklace of graduated beads at the throat, soft fabric stola covering the chest and shoulders; the arched brows above large almond-shaped eyes with carefully worked pupils, small pert mouth with full lips, smooth cheeks and brow; unworked to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made stand. 29.95 kg, 50 cm including stand
From a private UK collection, since at least 1971. Acquired from Rupert Wace Ancient Art Limited, Old Bond Street, London W1, UK, in 2001. From the private collection of Mr M.R. Davis, Bristol, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a stamped and signed Art Loss Register declaration dated 1st March 2001. Accompanied by a copy of a conservation report by restorer David Singleton dated 26th June 2001. Accompanied by a copy of the 23th February 2001 invoice (£34,000); a copy of the illustrated listing with reference number C230; plus communications regarding acquisition. 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 search certificate no.12339-224541.
The sculpture is a good example of 2nd-3rd century A.D. Palmyrene female funerary portrait types. The amount of jewellery displayed in these portraits could be a direct reflection of the wealth of the family, and certainly reflected the jewellery possessed by the owner of the grave.
