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LOT 0635
Roman Deer Brooch for Flaina
2ND CENTURY A.D.
1 5/8 in. (11.5 grams, 41 mm).
A copper-alloy zoomorphic plate brooch, in the shape of a deer with two legs, a short tail and a complete antler, characterised by a series of transverse grooves, the body of the animal with the inscription 'FLAINA' in Latin letters; pin lugs and remains of ferrous pin to the reverse.
ProvenanceAcquire in the 1990s.
Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.
Cf. Melchart, W., Antike Kostbarkeiten aus Osterreichischem privatbesitz, Wien, 1997, fig.31, for a very similar specimen.
FootnotesRoman fibulae came in a variety of shapes and embellishments. In the Roman Empire, the fibula was both functional and decorative, as men and women wore it to fasten their aprons and cloaks. A similar function was performed by pins intended to hold heavy garments such as cloaks. This type of fibulae were probably produced in Pannonia, from where they were exported around the Empire. Another centre of production of deer fIbulae was probably Roman Britannia.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Balsamarium with Spool-Type Mouth
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £845
A piriform bronze balsamarium with a broad rounded shoulder, slender waisted neck and squat, spool-type mouth. 207 grams, 12 cm high
From the collection of the late Dr D.G., Surrey, UK.
Such vessels, with their high-bellied body, are similar to examples from Palestine, Pompeii, Phocis, Brigetio and Salona. They are not fitted with handles, meaning that they were not part of a portable set. -
Roman Gold Ring with Banded Glass
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £500
A hollow-formed gold finger ring with ellipsoid bezel, inset panel of banded iridescent glass. 1.18 grams, 18.29 mm overall, 15.66 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G, USA 3 1/4, Europe 4.92, Japan 4)
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Roman Military Eagle Staff Terminal
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £11,050
A free-standing bronze imperial or military eagle terminal from a staff or a sceptre, modelled in the round in a dynamic pose standing on a globe, wings spread, head turned to the right, semi-naturalistic anatomical and feather detailing; the globe bearing an incised eight-armed stylised Macedonian star; sub-triangular lug to back of the neck; collar to globe with hollow underside. 166 grams, 88 mm high
with Bonham's, London, Knightsbridge, UK, 16 May 2002, lot 301. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Bonhams catalogue pages. 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.11582-198947
In the Roman world, the eagle was associated with the god Jupiter or Zeus, king of the Olympian gods, and was seen as ‘the symbol and agent of apotheosis after death’. An eagle was released from the top of an emperor’s funeral pyre to signal the journey of the soul towards heaven. A sacred attribute of Jupiter, this eagle terminal may have been attached to a sceptre of the statue of the god. Eagles were also the principal standard of the legions, and became the military symbol for excellence.
