Roman Bronze Tankard Handle Group

Most discoid in form and displaying a variety of designs: a ring of dimples; dot-in-ring motifs within roundels; 'stars' with dimpled terminals; a five-pointed star; a lozenge-shaped counter displaying punched ring-and-dot motifs to one face. 24.4 grams total, 21-41 mm



Gabby family collection since the late 1960s; thence by descent.

Modelled in relief with openwork elements, stylised detailing to both figures; hollow reverse. 182 grams, 10.2 cm high



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Hollow cast bronze images of Eros riding a lion are linked to the Eastern Levant and have been found for example in Tamna, probably a Roman import. The importance of the long-distance contacts within the Eastern Mediterranean areas was rapidly reflected in provincial artistic styles, probably as soon as in Hellenistic times, at the beginning of the third century B.C., possibly even earlier. The unquestionable Greek influence led a number of scholars to define three main styles for the bronzes discovered in the eastern Roman provinces: a local type and iconography locally produced, Greek or Roman imports, and Oriental, Hellenistic, or Roman style, locally produced.

Composed of rings of various types and sizes, including bezels with decorative geometric, zoomorphic and enamelled designs. 75 grams total, 16-26 mm



Acquired on the German art market around 2000. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.