Roman Iron Fishing Hook

Slender hoop with granules flanking a cup bezel, inset garnet cloison with intaglio profile male bust; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 4.01 grams, 26.03 mm overall, 17.16 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)



Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1, UK, 1998-2003. Property of a London based academic, 2003 to present. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12390-226044.

Hollow-formed life-size club with tubular handle and flared rim, shank with series of regularly-placed knop projections on piriform pads, domed end; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 4.73 kg total, club: 55 cm



Formerly in North American collection, 1990s. From an Austrian collection, acquired in London from UK collector in early 2000s. From a London gentleman's collection, 2000s. 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.12345-225411.

Like the famous statue of Hercules in gilded bronze (the so called Hercules from the Forum Boarium), today at the Capitoline Museums (Palazzo dei Conservatori), this club would have come from a temple dedicated to the Greek hero. The Mastai Hercules, at the Vatican Museum, shows a similar club. The presence of a large handle in our piece confirms that the club was held with the right hand in resting position, and that the typology of Hercules was probably one of the two models.

Comprising shallow drum with central wick-holder, domed discoid lid with three rings to the edge and central ring with hook, three suspension chains with loop and hook. 110 grams, 34.5 cm



Acquired Staffordshire, UK. From an Essex, UK, private collection.