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LOT 0808
Roman Buffware Oil Lamp with Seahorse
CIRCA 3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
3 in. (57 grams, 76 mm).
Mould made with a solid round unpierced handle, broad horizontal shoulder separated from the discus by a shallow circular groove; upper filling-hole over the central part of the discus decorated by a seahorse leaping to the left, surrounded by volutes; slightly raised rounded nozzle, base-ring marked with two circular grooves. [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. Lighfoot, C.S., The Cesnola collection of Cypriot Art - Terracotta Oil Lamps, cat.221, p.173, for the type.
FootnotesThe depiction of various animals is common on Roman lamps, appearing just as frequently as they do elsewhere in Roman art. Animals formed part of the decorative and symbolic schemes on monumental and funerary sculpture, frescoes and mosaics. The hippocampus symbolised water, power, bravery, and helpfulness. It was also defined as a symbol of hope, strength, and agility because of its ability to help people. This popular sea creature was connected with imagination and creativity and also associated with the god of the sea, Poseidon.
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 Bronze Reclining Hercules Statuette
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,160
Hollow-formed figure of Hercules resting with his weight on his left arm, cradling his club; lionskin mantle drawn over his head and covering his shoulders, back and thighs; right arm resting on his right thigh, holding a corner of the mantle; scaphoid base with attachment holes; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 4.28 kg total, 25 cm wide including stand
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.
This bronze was probably a chariot decoration. Hercules is represented here in mature age, bearded and with a cap and body covered by the skin of the Nemean Lion, killed in the first of his labours. This kind of image of Hercules was mainly widespread in the second to third century A.D., when emperors like Commodus and Maximianus Herculius identified themselves as the new Hercules at the top of the Roman state. -
Roman Bronze Animal Statuette Group
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Mixed group comprising: three-headed dog, Cerberus, on an ellipsoid base; mouse holding an item of food to its mouth; baying hound with head raised. 60.5 grams total, 29- 35 mm
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 Bronze Statue of Mars Gradivus
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,000
Modelled in the round as a young beardless warrior hero with muscular body and rounded shoulders; wearing a high-crested pseudo-Attic helmet with a diadem; the hair arranged in orderly locks over his brow; the bent left hand would originally have held a shield and the extended right hand a spear. 278 grams, 13.5 cm high
Ex collection of Dr Djafari (1900-1981), Kaiserslautern, Germany. 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 number no.11812-206498.
This statue of Mars Gradivus, the marching god of war, was probably a cult offering. The statuette still presents an archaic Etruscan hairstyle, being part of the Italic statuettes of the god produced as votive offering to the temples or for private lararia. A Gallo-Roman period temple dedicated to the cult of Mars with a similar statuette has recently been found in Brittany.
