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LOT 1031
Roman Inscribed Bronze Bow Brooch
3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
3 in. (8.19 grams, 78 mm).
Colchester-type brooch shank with seriffed enigmatic legend 'DIXMNM'.
ProvenanceEx important German collection of brooches, 1980s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Various, Report of Colchester and Essex Museum, for the period April Ist, 1937 to March 31st, 1944, Colchester, 1944, pl.III no.3, p.25, for the type.
FootnotesThe inscription 'DIXMNM' is not easy to interpretate. MNM was possibly used as abbreviation for Dis Manibus Monumentum, i.e. ‘Monument to the spirit of the dead’. DIX was a shorter form for he/she/it said (dixit), but also refers sometimes to the numeral 12 (duodecimus).
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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Large Late Roman Mosaic with Inlaid Glass Birds
6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £149,500
Rectangular panel of decorative mosaic tesserae comprising: wave pattern border in cream and graduated blue-grey tesserae with darker outer edge; inner border of graduated maroon and dark blue-grey tesserae; central field with two inner rows of four and two outer rows of five parakeets in various standing and perching poses, each formed from blue and green glass tesserae with white, crimson and other detailing to the eye, beak and chest; embedded in a sturdy steel-framed matrix of traditional mid 20th century type. 2.12 x 2.05 m
with Leon Simard, 1960s, Montreal, Canada. Archaeologia Gallery, 1980s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12966-244460.
The design of repeated birds against a neutral field is similar to patterns found on Late Roman and Sassanian textiles of roughly the same date, especially silk and wool textiles woven on more mechanised looms. Birds of all varieties appear frequently in floor mosaics and other arts of the Roman period; however, beribboned birds are rare. -
Roman Marbled Cobalt Blue Glass Bottle
Roman Period, 30 B.C.-323 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £624
With spherical, squat body and dimple base; tubular neck with flared mouth and rolled rim. 102 grams, 16.5 cm
From the private collection of a Canadian gentleman living in Essex, UK, formed since the 1920s-circa 1990. Property of an Essex lady until the the late 1990s; thence by descent. From the private collection of an Essex gentleman since the late 1990s. -
Roman Bronze Bow Brooch
2nd century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £40
With chord and pin (now detached) at the head, D-section bow with lateral spurs, collar and swept foot with notched detailing, bulb finial, catch to the reverse. 26.6 grams, 54 mm
Ex important German collection, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This type of fibula, common in Pannonia, was typically worn in men's clothing. It closed the paenula on the chest, arranged horizontally. Naturally, it could also be worn with military attire.
