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LOT 0871
Roman Gilt Bronze Medallion with Mythological Scene
3RD-5TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (7.5 grams, 23 mm).
Discoid in plan with repoussé sheet-bronze cover on a bronze disc; facing image of two goddesses holding cornucopiae (Fortuna and Isis) flanking an altar, on a baseline. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired in 1993.
Private collection, thence by descent.
Private collection, since the late 1990s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
There are reliefs and paintings from across the Empire showing religious processions involving cult statues of the two goddesses. The famous Roman novel 'The Golden Ass' by Lucius Apuleius provides literary evidence of such processions in honour of the goddess Isis. The statue of the goddess was taken from the temple and processed through the streets with great pomp and ceremony on an elaborate bier or cart by the priests and devotees to the accompaniment of music and prayers.
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 Carnelian Gemstone with Shrimp
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Intaglio shrimp motif with articulated body. 0.60 grams, 13 mm
Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Roman Bronze Ring with Amethyst Gemstone
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Comprising a D-section hoop with raised shoulders, rectangular bezel set with an amethyst intaglio engraved with an advancing bird. 3.33 grams, 20.86 mm overall, 14.24 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G, USA 3 1/4, Europe 4.92, Japan 4)
Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Birds were often involved in the religious life of Greeks and Romans. For example, the foundation ceremony of a city had fixed rules, involving the augurs’ interpretation of allegedly divine omens, such as the flight patterns of birds. Birds were often used for children’s rings: from the villa or palace of Fishbourne, Sussex, came a gold child’s ring containing a diminutive chrome chalcedony engraved with a bird. -
Roman Inked Wooden Tablet with Testamentary Dispositions of Emilius Vernucius
Circa 300 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,280
Well preserved square tablet with a recessed panel to each face and two holes to accept thongs, probably the third tablet of a Roman will made by Emilius Vernucius around 300 A.D., two small holes at the upper rim (for binding the tablets of this document together); the text of the inner and first half of the outer face consisting of testamentary dispositions always starting with the verbs do lego, slaves, fields, buildings, and sums of money are mentioned; at the end the mancipatory formula of Roman testaments can be read, mentioned are the familiae emptor and the libripens as well as the first of the witnesses, Emilius Cerealius. 99 grams, 21 x 19.5 cm
Acquired by Albert Sfez in the early 1950s. Formerly the property of Monsieur Alain Sfez, a Belgian collector; acquired by gift from his father Albert Sfez, in 1965. Acquired by a London dealer in 1973. From an important London collection since 1975; thence by descent. Accompanied by a copy of a four page academic report by Professor Dr phil. Peter Rothenhöfer. Accompanied by a collection of four old black and white photographs of the the tablet. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12599-230809. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
