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LOT 0167
Roman Enamelled Bronze Vessel Lid
2ND-4TH CENTURY A.D.
6 in. (435 grams, 15 cm wide).
With carinated body and gently inverted lower rim, circumferential frieze displaying 'yellow' and red champlevé enamelled flower heads within foliate roundels, alternating with stylised amphoras and volute scrolls creating heart shapes set against a rich blue field; central projecting stem with hexagonal plate, ornamented with a central domed flower head, amphora and foliate motifs surrounding; two suspension lugs with loops to the perimeter of the lower rim; repaired.
ProvenanceAcquired from Ariadne Galleries Inc, New York, 30 October 2003.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11622-198955.
Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession numbers 47.100.5 and 47.100.8, for enamelled copper-alloy vessels and accession number 2000.505a-o, for ceremonial chariot fittings with very similar enamelled design and of similar hexagonal form to the lid plate.
FootnotesChamplevé is a decorative technique which involves cutting cells into a metal surface and filling the void with enamel, using the raised metal borders between the cells to create the design outline.
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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LOT 0167
Roman Enamelled Bronze Vessel Lid
Estimate £10,000 - 14,000€11,600 - 16,240 (for guidance only)$13,500 - 18,900 (for guidance only)
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Roman Bronze Plate Brooch with Animal Heads
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
With stepped profile to the rectangular vow, pelletted bars and beast-head finials; pin, pin-lugs and pierced catchplate to the underside. 10.5 grams, 45 mm
From the collection of a High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK, gentleman, circa 2000. -
Roman Bronze Bird-Headed Distaff Terminal
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
With round-section body, balustered finial with a stylised bird. 12.7 grams, 15 cm
Found St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK. Acquired from the finder in 2008. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman. -
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Roman Severus Alexander Denarius Forger's Coin Die Pair and Crucible
Circa 222-235 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,300
A contemporary pair of clay coin dies used to manufacture coin forgeries, the working faces depicting a gold aureus or silver denarius of Emperor Severus Alexander, with incuse and reversed legends; each counterfeit die with inscribed numbering to verso [(((( LXIIII = 64]; accompanied by a clay crucible excavated at the same time with inked inscription to the underside: 'Arch.-Nr. / 6612-1975', another object that would have been required in the casting process of manufacturing of fake coins. 86.86 grams total, 44-58 mm
1 - 1 1/4 in.
In a private collection of Roman objects since 1975. Accompanied by a copy of a letter and schedule addressed to the Director of the Library Faculty of Kamp-Linfurt, a branch of Stadsparkasse Duisburg regarding the loan of the forger's die and crucible for exhibition, dated 13 December 1993.
Towards the end of the 2nd century and the early 3rd century A.D. the quality of Roman coinage began to be altered. Probably from the beginning of the reign of Severus Alexander, forgers were tacitly allowed by the Roman government to issue counterfeit coins. There are many ancient coins of this emperor that appear to have been cast in moulds. Most of these moulds would have been employed by forgers, and the dies were normally destroyed quickly after use in an effort to dispose of the evidence.
