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LOT 0728
Roman Bronze Winged Phallus
1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/4 in. (11.15 grams, 44 mm).
Amuletic pendant of a phallus with lateral D-shaped wings. [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. Boucher, S., Inventaire des Collections Publiques Françaises - 17 Vienne: Bronzes Antiques, Paris, 1971, item 61, for 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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Late Roman Bronze Ring Belonging to Diogenes
4th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
With ellipsoid bezel, pointillé border enclosing Greek text 'ΔΙΟΓ/ΕΝΩ' '[property] of Diogenes'. 7.21 grams, 25.66 mm overall, 20.51 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/4, Europe 20.63, Japan 19)
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Late Roman Iron Branding Signaculum
5th-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Featuring an elaborate monogram composed of Greek letters M and O, supported by decoratively twisted prongs; tapering cylindrical socket. 521 grams, 37.5 cm
Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.
Branding stamps or signacula, in particular those with large single letters, were used for marking livestock to identify the ownership, the breed, the quality and other features of the animal. The signacula were usually made in bronze, but iron examples are also preserved.