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LOT 0122
Roman Bronze Statuette of Young Mercury on the Eagle of Jupiter
2ND CENTURY A.D.
2 5/8 in. (63.3 grams total, 68 mm including stand).
Modelled in the round as a figure of an eagle perching with its head turned to the right; on its back, the god Mercury with caduceus on his left arm and petasos on his head; 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, item 51 (Mercury with caduceus).
FootnotesThe figure of the messenger-god Mercury seated on the pinion of the eagle possibly relates to a mythic incident. Similar imagery was used in respect of Jupiter in scenes where the god was supposed to welcome a newly-deified emperor into the pantheon: see Metropolitan Museum of Art accession no. 32.142.2, for a sardonyx instance of this motif.
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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LOT 0122
Roman Bronze Statuette of Young Mercury on the Eagle of Jupiter
Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
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Roman Bronze Steelyard Balance with Severed Celtic Head Weight
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
Comprising a round-section arm with pierced lug finial, notches to the upper face, suspension ring, counter weight formed as stylised head with gaping mouth and bowl-cut hair. 86 grams, 11.8 cm
From 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. -
Roman Lead Commercial Weight of 1 Mna
Dated SE 230 (83/2 B.C.)Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,111
Square in plan with ribbed edge and hatched reverse; ETOYΣ ΛΣ (date) ΔHMOΣIA MNA (denomination) with border to initial lamda, two crossed cornucopiae, to left a monogram; latticework design to the reverse. 704 grams, 96 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12225-222343.
Such commercial weights were produced in cities currently or formerly under Seleukid control. The inscription ΔHMOΣIA ('public'), indicates that this was used as an official market weight. -
Bronze Age to Roman Bronze Artefact Collection
11th century B.C.-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Comprising two arrowheads with foliate head and square-sectioned tang and three awls. 45 grams total, 3.6-10.8 cm
Acquired prior to 2000. Ex private collection, Cambridgeshire, UK.
The two arrowheads are similar to specimens found in Luristan. They belong to the type V of the Khorasani classification. The bow was widely used by the Luristan people. The shape of the blade is often flat or ovate in the cross section with lanceolate profile and two cutting edges.