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LOT 0649
Roman Glass Unguentarium
1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.
4 1/2 in. (43 grams, 11.5 cm).
Bulbous body with flattened underside, tall tubular neck with rolled and folded rim.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Cf. Whitehouse, D., Roman Glass in the Corning Museum of Glass, vol.2, New York, 2001, item 772.
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 Bronze Statuette Head of Mercury
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Wearing a broad-brimmed petasos with wings above, curls of hair beneath, youthful features. 41 grams, 31 mm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
Mercury was the god of trade and industry, whose principle shrine in the city of Rome was at the Circus Maximus. Originally he was one of the gods of riches and profit and it was not until he was equated with the Greek Hermes that he became the god of tradesmen and merchants. He was also the god of thieves and was associated with healing mainly in Gaul where he had a number of important temples connected to sacred springs. -
Large Roman Marble Gaming Dice
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Cuboid with rounded edges, spots disposed 1:6, 2:4, 3:5; the '1' a ring-and-dot, the others dimples. 18 grams, 20 mm
Ex Dr. Champion collection. Acquired 31 October 2003. From the important private collection of dice and gaming pieces of Colin Narbeth, London, UK, collection no.205. Accompanied by a Colin Narbeth catalogue identification slip. -
'The Anglesey' Romano-British Marble Head of a Celtic Warrior
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,150
Carved with comma-leaf detailing to the hair, a low brow over almond-shaped eyes, broad triangular nose and thick moustache obscuring the mouth; mounted on a custom-made stand. 7.3 kg total, 28.5 cm high including stand
Found Anglesey, Wales, 1978. From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. Accompanied by a newspaper article on the find.
The style of execution is rather more refined than for the majority of stone heads, and lacks the characteristic slit mouth. Same elements of the design are seen on the figure from Otley (Jackson, no.25) and especially that from Bradford-Heaton (no.16) which shares the prominent moustache.