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LOT 0697
Roman 'Midlands' Bronze Decorated Crossbow Brooch
4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.
3 5/8 in. (78.6 grams, 92 mm).
With onion-knop terminals, carinated bow with linear decoration and a separate collar to the base of the bow; wide footplate with pellet decoration; catch-plate and repaired pin to the reverse. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound UK.
Acquired from Stonegate Antiques, York, 2008.
Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Bronze Plate Brooch with Animal Heads
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
With stepped profile to the rectangular vow, pelletted bars and beast-head finials; pin, pin-lugs and pierced catchplate to the underside. 10.5 grams, 45 mm
From the collection of a High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK, gentleman, circa 2000. -
Roman 'St Albans' Pottery Sherd and Mosaic Tesserae Group
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Comprising large tile and vessel fragments, some with inked notes; and a group of white and grey tesserae, including one large redware tessera. 2.3 kg total, 1-17 cm
Found St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK. Acquired from the finder in 2008. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman.
The great monuments of Verulamium were efficiently destroyed by the medieval builders of Saxon and Norman abbeys. They sought Roman bricks and, above all, limestone which could be burnt for mortar. Most of the ancient Roman town stone monuments were broken up and thrown into lime kilns. These surviving fragments give a hint of what was once there. For the monuments and buildings Romans used Northamptonshire limestone, but the more delicate, finely carved inscriptions were realised in Purbeck marble from Dorset. -
Roman Terracotta Figurine of Eros
Circa 1st century B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Represented nude and winged, with detailed head crowned by dressed locks and a low petasos, the face beautifully modelled with delicate features; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 49 grams total, 11.5 cm including stand
Fine brown clay, grey core.
Ex P. A., Hertfordshire, UK, specialist collection of Greek art, 1980-1990s.
These figurines were often deposited inside the graves of children. In Thessaloniki, a winged Eros very similar to this was deposited in a grave. From the small size of the skeleton, with a maximum length of 1,10 m, and from the grave offerings, the archaeologists deduced that it belonged to a boy who was accompanied by his beloved and necessary possessions, but also by those providing escort and entertainment beyond this world. Unguentaria were placed on either side of the femoral bones, two on one and a single one on the other, two strigils along the eastern side of the grave near the head, a coin on the chest, and several terracotta figurines near the north-eastern corner near the head, while a handle-less bowl was placed very close to the face.
