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LOT 0556
Roman Iron Knife with Bone Handle
1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.
6 7/8 in. (38.1 grams, 17.5 cm).
With single-edged blade gently curving towards the tip; applied bone handle with diagonally striated banding. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound near Wetwang, East Yorkshire, UK.
Acquired from the finder in 2007.
Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman.
Cf. Crummy, N., Greep, S., Hassall, M., Henig, M., Major, H., Webster, G., Wild, J.P., Colchester Archaeological Report 2: the Roman small finds from excavations in Colchester 1971-1979, Colchester, 1983, nos.2935 (handle) and 2974 (knife).
FootnotesTools which cannot be assigned to one of the more specific categories, such as agricultural or military equipment especially knife blades, tool handles, and hones. Three methods of attaching a handle to the tang of a knife or tool are distinguishable in the Roman culter. Rivetting was used on two-piece handles (like in our specimen). Driving the tang into the marrow-cavity of the bone, which was usually packed with wood-shavings, so that the irregularities of cancellous tissue and the wood-shavings prevented the tang from twisting or slipping out (often a collar was also used with this method). Lastly, the tang could be fixed to the handle by means of an iron clip.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Bronze Silenus Figurine
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,400
Standing nude with vine-leaf wreath on the brow, muscular physique, dressed beard and stern facial expression, holding a bunch of grapes in the left hand; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 104 grams, 65 mm high (127 grams total, 71 mm high including stand)
Private Swiss collection, acquired 2001. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11621-199008.
Silenus was closely associated with the Dionysian cult. He was a deity associated with the forest, wine, drunkenness, the treading-dance of the wine press as an orgiastic ritual. While intoxicated, Silenus was believed to possess the power of prophecy. He helped raise the god Dionysus, son of Zeus, after he was entrusted to him by Hermes. Once, while travelling with Dionysus through Phrygia, Silenus was captured by King Midas who treated his captive hospitably. As a reward, Dionysus granted the king his famous 'golden touch'. The sacred animal of Silenus is the donkey, the mode of transport he often used according to Greek mythology. -
Roman Bronze Steelyard Weight Group
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
Comprising: a pear-shaped bronze weight with collared loop, lead-filled; a bulbous lead weight with iron loop. 945 grams total, 40-69 mm
Found near Wetwang, East Yorkshire, UK. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman. -
Roman Gold Ring with Sardonyx Gemstone
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £3,500 - 4,500 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,750
Facetted hoop and disc bezel with inset sardonyx depicting three facing goddesses holding attributes. 6.76 grams, 24.93 mm overall, 21.92 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R 1/2, USA 8 3/4, Europe 19.38, Japan 18)
From a collection of a London lady, acquired annually during 1990s-2000s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11962-210875.
