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LOT 0623
Roman Redware Sherd with Constantinian Portraits
4TH CENTURY A.D.
7 1/4 in. (155 grams, 18.5 cm).
From the upper part of the vessel, displaying a frieze of profile busts and figural scenes within roundels, winged Victory holding a wreath and standing on globe between the roundels; the central roundel with Sol Invictus and a sun chariot. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1960s-1990s.
From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
Cf. Demandt, A., Engemann, J., Imperator Caesar Flavius Constantinus - Konstantin der Grosse, Mainz, 2007, for similar Constantinian portraits on medallions (p.81), cameos (p.134), lead tokens (p.373).
FootnotesThis terra sigillata fragment appears to have been part of a large tray, celebrating the imperial triumph of an early 4th century emperor, possibly Constantine or a member of his family such as Crispus. The combination of triumphal symbols (palms, quadriga, radiated crown) with imperial figures is typical of the tetrarchy and early Constantinian era, where elements of dying paganism were still used to celebrate imperial glory. Note the detailed late Roman clothing, with a closed chlamys-paludamentum on the right shoulder and, in the profile figure, a thorax with hemispherical shoulder protections.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0623
Roman Redware Sherd with Constantinian Portraits
Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
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Roman Bronze Bracelet with Panthers
2nd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
The penannular round-section hoop terminating in opposed couchant pantheresses, their heads turned in opposite directions. 30.8 grams, 75 mm
UK collection, early 1990s and before. Acquired on the UK art market since the early 2000s. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK. -
Roman 'Thames' Bone Gaming Piece and Pottery with Graffiti
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Comprising: a Samian ware fragment bearing graffiti to one face; a polished, coin-shaped bone gaming counter engraved 'XIIIX'. 38 grams total, 1.7-9 cm
Found Billingsgate spoil from the Thames foreshore, London, UK. -
Roman Bronze Military Monkey
4th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £444
Modelled seated on a polygonal base wearing a paenula, the right hand placed on the left shoulder, head tilted to one side, right hand placed on a stela or lantern. 23.9 grams, 34 mm
‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.
The monkey is bearing a military sagum with cucullus and is holding beside him a squared lucerna. This representation can be a Roman military mascot or simply a grotesque. In 2001 in Spain, at Llivia, remains of Barbary apes with military belt buckles typically related to the late Roman period were discovered. The discovery of this type of belt buckle in a human grave would suggest that they were once a part of this army, so the fact that some were given to a Barbary ape means that the apes played a military role, for example, acted as targets to distract the enemy, or were used in type of a combat or for defence. Apes were also a very common form of pet in the Graeco-Roman world.
