Loading, please wait...
LOT 0870
Roman Hardstone Hand Amulet
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
1 3/8 in. (2.49 grams, 35 mm).
An amuletic arm with hand in the fica gesture, bulb and loop above.
Provenancewith Hotel des Ventes, Drouot, Paris, France.
From the collection of Mr H. Naudy, Paris, France.
Acquired at between 2004-2010.
Property of a French collector.
Cf. Andrews, C., Amulets of Ancient Egypt, London, 1994, item 74(f.
FootnotesSmall amulets of hands were commonly included in bracelets. They served not only as decorative pieces but also as symbols of protection for the limbs and extremities of their wearers. Some believed these amulets could even confer abilities such as increased dexterity or heightened creativity.
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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Roman to Post Medieval Artefact Group
1st-20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Including hooked tags, cloth seals, keys, a spur rowel, milled coins, mounts and other items. 854 grams total, 9-67 mm
Found Suffolk, UK. -
Roman Limestone Torso of a Goddess
Circa 3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Modelled in the round with hands clasped across the midriff, draped folds of the palla to the shoulders; mounted on a custom-made stand. 300 grams total, 13.7 cm including stand
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. -
Roman Terracotta Lamp with Fighting Gladiators
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £222
Composed of a discoid body with sunken discus bearing a scene of two gladiators in combat in relief, tabula ansata below, ring handle and roughly D-shaped nozzle with volutes; old crack to base. 84 grams, 12.4 cm
From a German collection. Ex Cambridge, UK, collection, 1980s.
The two gladiators seem to be wearing the armaturae of murmillones. All gladiators began their career as provocatores; the learning of their combat technique was polyvalent and allowed the fighters to specialise as a large shield-bearer (the scutati) like murmillones, or as a small shield-bearer, parmati, like the oplomachus.
