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LOT 0726
Roman Red Ware Bowl Fragment with Gladiator
2ND CENTURY A.D.
3 7/8 in. (71.9 grams, 98 mm).
From the upper part of a vessel, displaying a bird, a satyr head and a caduceus, a leaping wild horse and a gladiator within a roundel.
ProvenanceAcquired 1960s-1990s.
From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
Cf. Beutler, F. et al., Der Adler Roms. Carnuntum und die Armee der Cäsaren, Bad-Deutsch-Altenburg, 2017, item 697, for similar fragment.
FootnotesThese kind of fragments are often found in military camps. In addition to simple cooking pots, jugs, plates and mortars, the household effects of a contubernium (the smallest organised unit of soldiers in the Roman army composed of eight legionaries) also included finer eating and drinking utensils. To avoid confusion, many soldiers marked their dishes with their names and, if necessary, repaired them with the help of lead clips.
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Roman Miniature Terracotta Oil Lamp with Theatre Mask
2nd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
Hollow-formed with long nozzle extending from the fleshy mouth, crown of foliage; smaller nozzle and filler-hole to the brow; raised ring to the base; a theatre mask or face of Silenus. 24.3 grams, 72 mm
Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
Lamps with figurines first appeared in the Hellenistic period, possibly originating in Athens. Found in all parts of the Mediterranean basin, they were particularly popular during the first and second centuries A.D. The Silenus face types were linked to the Bacchic cult. The crown of leaves and fruit across the forehead alludes to Bacchus or one of his followers. -
Roman Silver Crossbow Brooch with Dedicatory Inscription
4th century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £278
Featuring rounded knops to the head, the bow with a dedicatory inscription in Latin letters 'VTER FELIX IURE VICTO'. 19.5 grams, 62 mm
Acquire in the 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.
The dedicatory inscription 'VTERE FELIX', 'use it with good luck' or 'with happiness' is often found on Roman military artefacts, like belt fittings, brooches, and armlets; but it is rarely accompanied by 'IURE VICTO' inscription ([being the] rightful winner). The inscription is typical of the late Roman military world, but it can also refer to people using the brooch in civil duties, these fibulae being ordinarily gifted to the militia armata and non armata. -
Roman Bronze Hattatt Collection Brooch Group
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Comprising: an iron Alesia-type brooch with deep tapering bow, long foot with recurved integral knop, curled hinge; the type of Gaulish origin; mounted on a custom-made display panel stand with Hattatt collection description and further information on a label to the reverse; inked collection number to the reverse of the bow; the other a bronze trumpet brooch with moulded arc decorations on the head, sprung pin moving freely, tapering body with acanthus motif; horizontal ribbing and zigzag motifs, plain underfoot; retaining swivel chain loop with traces of red enamel; collection number to the reverse of the bow. 25.6 grams total, 63-70 mm (82 grams total, 85 mm high including stand)
Alesia type found near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK; trumpet type found in Northamptonshire, UK.
Hattatt remarks of the Alesia brooch: 'In remarkably fine condition for iron, this could well have been worn by one of the Roman invaders.'
