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LOT 0778
Roman Silver Armilla Snake Bracelet
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
2 5/8 in. (8 grams, 66 mm).
Penannular in form with kite-shaped terminals representing serpents' heads, punched ring-and-dot and pricked dot ornament forming the stylised head and scale detailing. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceEx North American private collection.
Acquired privately on the European art market in the 1990s.
Property of a Buckinghamshire, UK, gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Bronze Sitting Dog Statuette
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
Modelled in the round with naturalistic detailing, seated on a round base with loop to the rear, possibly a balsamarium or other high status vessel lid. 20.5 grams, 38 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. -
Roman Bronze Recumbent Deer Statuette
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Modelled in the round with naturalistic detailing, held held upwards. 16.5 grams, 30 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. -
Roman Bronze Bracelet Group
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Comprising four flat-section bracelets with overlapping rounded terminals. 68 grams total, 61-71 mm
From the family collection of a Surrey gentleman since before 1960.
Bracelets were worn in Rome by ladies of rank, but it was considered a mark of effeminacy for civilian men to use such female ornaments (Suetonius, Caligula, 52; Nero, 30). The armillae (or psellia in Greek) were rings and bracelets worn by women in the Graeco-Roman world on both legs and arms. Homer mentions them (elikas) as being part of the hairstyle of the divine Aphrodite, thus giving an almost sacred character to these objects. There were different types, the most common consisting of a more or less thick metal wire, or a flat or cylindrical circle, like our examples.
