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LOT 0987
Roman Bronze Tweezer Group
3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
2 1/8 - 3 in. (23.6 grams total, 54-75 mm).
Comprising three pairs of tweezers, each with linear decoration and one with a suspension loop. [3]
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Cf. Beutler, F. et al., Der Adler Roms. Carnuntum und der Armee der Cäsaren, Bad-Deutsch Altenberg, 2017, items 841-842, for type.
FootnotesLonger tweezers with serrated ends served as an essential component of surgical instruments for better and safer grasping of human tissue. Some of them had gripping arms that widened considerably downwards.
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 Lapis Lazuli Gnostic Gemstone with Aphrodite Anadyomene
4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
Ellipsoid in plan with enigmatic Greek legend 'BPE/IMW' to underside, facing figure of Aphrodite Anadyomene to obverse on baseline with Greek legend 'APE IAP', possibly an abbreviation for ΑΡ[ΌΡΙΦ]ΡΑ[Σ]Ι[Σ]. 1.38 grams, 17 mm
Private collection, acquired on the German art market in 1993; thence by descent.
The gemstone belongs to a series of blue gemstones, usually of lapis lazuli or blue glass, showing the famous image of Aphrodite Anadyomene ('rising from the sea'). In some of these gemstones, we find the magical word arôriphrasis, which transliterates an Egyptian title of the goddess Hathor as 'The Lady of the Blue Stone'. Since Hathor and Aphrodite were assimilated in Graeco-Roman Egypt, there is some logic to the appearance of the name and Aphrodite on these stones. -
Roman Bronze Military Belt Buckle
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
Comprising a rectangular plate and a knopped loop, four attachment studs on the reverse. 33.95 grams, 86 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Inscribed Magical Bead
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £644
Tubular bead, square in section with longitudinal piercing; reserved text to each face: (1) Xω·ωX (2) EIAω (3) CABAOO (4) AΔωNH. 6.29 grams, 33 mm
From the London collection of the late Mr S.M., 1969-1999.
The form 'AΔωNH' (Adōne) 'O Lord' is used in Christian inscriptions.
