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LOT 0700
Roman Herm of the God Hermes
CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
6 1/4 in. (110 grams, 16 cm).
A bronze herm lock element representing the god Hermes, with a stylised and beardless face, long hair descending with two parallel lines on the chest with engraved stylised caduceus, finial with a plinth and a squared pin to the reverse.
ProvenanceAcquired before 2000.
From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
Cf. a very similar Herma in the Museum of Fine Art Budapest, inventory no.93.19.A.
FootnotesThis miniature herm, with a stylised caduceus engraved on the breast, possibly represents the god Hermes. It could have been used as a lock for a casket or a box where money was kept. Hermes was the protector of homes, symbolised by the Herma (from Hermes), a square or rectangular pillar of stone or bronze topped by a bust of the god.
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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Late Roman Silver Ring with Cross
4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
A silver ring with carinated hoop, shaped shoulders, discoid bezel engraved with a Chi Rho cross within a dashed roundel. 5.33 grams, 24.90 mm overall, 18.81 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J, USA 4 3/4, Europe 8.69, Japan 8)
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK. -
'The Uttoxeter' Roman Octagonal Rolling Dice
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,120
An octagonal bronze 'Stabwuerfel' rolling dice with rounded terminals, drilled dot numbering rotating the rod clockwise: 1; 4-4; 3; 5; 2; 7; 4; 6; an additional single dimple to the end face of one terminal; all numbers are drilled at the centre of the rod with the exception of the number 8, which is split into two groups of 4, located at either end. 58 grams, 54 mm
Found whilst searching with a metal detector rear North Uttoxeter, East Staffordshire, UK, on Saturday 11th March 2017, by Martin Colclough. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no. LANCUM-E6101C where it states: 'Stabwuerfel (germ. rod dice) are very rare in this country and this is the first one recorded on this database...This die will be marked a Find of Note for the area...and has been designated: Potential for inclusion in Britannia.'
The PAS report describes this find of note as being 'in extremely good condition'. The dots may once have had an enamel fill. -
Roman Terracotta Double Oil Lamp with Reflector
Late 1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
A pottery lamp with triangular ornament handle with palmette above and acanthus leaves below, plain ring behind, concave discus with central filling-hole, two double-volute round tipped nozzles with conspicuous knobs, flat base-ring marked off by two circular grooves. 139 grams, 19.5 cm wide
From a 19th century German collection. Acquired in the 1990s. Ex London, UK, collection.
This lamp belongs to the classification of Loeschcke type III (Bailey type D). The type is characterised by a handle ornament that is either figurative or in the shape of a crescent, with decorated triangle, or two-lobed bud; and a usually round-tipped volute-nozzle, exceptionally with angular tip. Lamps may have one or two, or sometimes more nozzles. This type is typical of the Late Neronian-Flavian period.
