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_900x900.jpg "Roman Enamelled Bronze Brooch")
_200x200.jpg "Roman Enamelled Bronze Brooch")
.jpg "Roman Enamelled Bronze Brooch")
LOT 0192
Roman Enamelled Bronze Brooch
1ST-3RD CENTURY A.D.
2 1/4 in. (61 grams total, 56 mm including stand).
With raised central boss and peripheral discs with red enamel alternating with openwork loops; the body with a double band of blue, white and red enamelling, separated by ropework bands; remains of pin hinge and catchplate to the reverse; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a private New Jersey collection, 1960-1985.
with Artemis Gallery, Colorado, USA, 8 March 2016, no.45.
Private American collection, New York, USA.
Cf. Hattatt, R., Ancient and Romano-British Brooches, Sherborne, 1982, p.141 nos.126,129; Melchart, W., Antike Kostbarkeiten aus Osterreichischem privatbesitz, Wien, 1997, fig.43, for the type.
FootnotesA similar brooch is preserved in the Colchester Museum, and similarly decorated brooch discs are visible in the British Museum and have been found in Chesterholm, Vindolanda and Chepstow. It is a Roman provincial type used by military personnel and their families.
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 Lead Sling Shot Projectile Collection
1st century B.C.-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £585
Comprising ten lentoid-section glandes, five with impressed stylised 'fulmen' (thunderbolt) of Jupiter. 384 grams total, 18-36 mm
Acquired in Europe in 1990. European private collection.
The missiles of ovoid shape belong to type Ia of the Völling classification. The sling (funda) with its lead missiles (plumbea pondera or glandae) and stone (lapides) was used by special funditores, illustrated on Trajan’s Column where they are simply dressed in broad tunics with no armour, but carry a shield. A fold in their cloak, or sagulum, acted as an ammunition bag. The effectiveness of the slingers was unquestionable and much appreciated, especially against elephants. Celsus, writing towards the end of the 2nd century A.D., described how a slingshot wound was more dangerous and harder to treat than one inflicted by an arrow. -
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Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Head of Medusa
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
Mould-made with convex shoulder separated from the concave discus by a narrow band of triangles and ovules, single groove around the discus, lower filling-hole, burn marks on the nozzle, flat undefined base, discus decorated with the head of Medusa within a laurel. 50 grams, 86 mm
Fine condition.
German collection formed since 1970. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman.
A Loeschcke VIII variant. The form and decoration suggest a Hadrianic date, at which time Medusa was one of the most popular subjects depicted on lamps. In ancient mythology, Medusa was one of three monstrous winged female creatures who had venomous snakes living in her hair. The story of Medusa is elaborated by the Roman poet Ovid in his Metamorphosis, which explains that Medusa was a beautiful woman until she had sex with Poseidon in Athena’s temple. Athena exacted punishment on Medusa, turning her into a monstrous creature with a glare that turned all who gazed into her eyes to stone. Medusa was eventually beheaded by the Greek hero Perseus, who used her head as a weapon which, even after being hewn from Medusa's body, could turn his enemies to stone. Perseus later presented Medusa's head to the goddess Athena, which she in turn weaponised, placing it on her shield. In classical antiquity, representations of the head of Medusa appeared in the apotropaic device known as the Gorgoneion, designed to ward-off evil and bad luck. -
Roman Bronze Ring with Rabbit
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
With integral ellipsoid bezel, intaglio crouching rabbit motif. 2.63 grams, 20.35 mm overall, 18.78 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.
