Roman Child's Coiled Bronze Snake Bracelet

Comprising a circular headplate with pointillé tendril ornament, and three radiating lugs, each with a flared collar below; deep D-section bow with boar-head modelling including open mouth and tusks, bristles and pricked ears; parallel-sided chamfered edges, recurved finial with dog-head detailing and teardrop dangle in the mouth; spring and pin to the reverse. 28 grams, 65 mm



with Artemis Gallery, Münich, before 1998. Acquired by the present owner from the above in 2001. 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.12226-222179.

As the boar's mouth is modelled open, it is likely that it also had a dangle similar to that of the dog's head. The artistic effect of the brooch is to symbolise the chase, with the boar fleeing and the hound in close pursuit behind. This kind of fibula was used by the Romano-British people of Britannia, as attested by specimens found in Britain (BM inventory no.PRB 1954.12-6.1).

Highly detailed bearded head with thick hair locks surmounted by a pseudo-Corinthian helmet with high crest; the breast covered by a scale armour (squama) fitted with shoulder-guards. 82 grams, 75 mm



From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968.

The pseudo-Corinthian or Apulo-Corinthian helmet, here worn by the divinity, was originally a legionary helmet, which transformed in the late Consular Age into an officer's helmet, to become a typical attribute of the commanders and then of the war god.

A mixed group of two hundred and fifty single tesserae of various colours and sizes, mostly cuboid. 332 grams total, 8-14 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.