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LOT 0827
Roman Redware Ram Pottery Sherd
CIRCA 4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.
3 in. (50 grams, 77 mm wide).
Fragment of a terracotta votive statuette representing a ram, detail to the horns, ears and fleece; set with a suspension ring on the reverse. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1960s-1990s.
From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
Cf. Burr, D., ‘The terracotta figurines’ in Hesperia: The Journal of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Vol. 2, No. 2, The American Excavations in the Athenian Agora: First Report, (1933), pp.184-194, fig.7, no.636, T50, for similar.
FootnotesMany figurines of this type have been found in the Hellenised Roman provinces of the east and one identical in the Athenian Agora. They are all rendered with incisions that are characteristic of the technique of the late fourth century. Many similar examples were found in the Kerameikos and some are in the National Museum of Archaeology, Athens. A similar technique is observable in the handles representing animal heads which occur on red pottery ornamented with white paint.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Eagle Gemstone in Remains of Bronze Ring
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Opening Bid: £111
A round intaglio with a standing eagle on a baseline with its wings spread and head turned left. 4.17 grams, 20 mm
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Stone Minerva Statuette House Altar
Roman, 2nd-4th century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £4,160
Square-section with stepped base, gussetted collar and two parallel bars to the upper face; inscribed 'DEAE.MINERV[AE] / LVCIVS.PLAC[IDUS] / VITELLI.FIL[IVS].V[OTUM] / S[OLVIT].L[IBENS].M[ERITO]' (to the goddess Minerva, Lucius Plac[idus] son of Vitellius, discharges the vow freely, as is deserved); the inscription highlighted in crimson. 5.3 kg, 21.2 cm high
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Votive inscriptions follow a set pattern, since they were dedicated to a god or goddess to thank them for something they had done in response to a prayer. The person dedicating the stone would have previously promised to do this if the god answered their prayer. The formulation V.S.L.M. (votum solvit libens [or libenter] merito = in willing fulfilment of a vow) is attested for example at Bath, or on the Arae of the Hadrian's Wall. -
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