Roman Glass Cosmetic Dish

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.

A 2nd-3rd century A.D. Roman marble Corinthian capital fragment carved with acanthus leaves; together with a 16th-17th century A.D. reworked male head modelled in the round with naturalistic detailing. 16.2 kg total, 44 cm high including stand



Acquired on the UK art market. English private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11623-199751.

A mixed group of bronze seal boxes and parts, one with a spread-eagle motif in high-relief. 30.7 grams total, 25-46 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.