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LOT 0168
Roman Silver Crossbow Brooch
3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
1 3/4 in. (14.6 grams, 46 mm).
Parcel-gilt crossbow brooch with onion-shaped knops to the ends of the headplate and medially along the top edge; deep trapezoidal-section bow with median gusset; D-section footplate with chamfered sides open to one edge; upper part of one face of the bow with niello-filled running scroll design, lower part of the other face with running guilloche; beaded wire collar at the end.
ProvenanceEx N.C. collection.
Acquired on the Swiss art market in 2000.
European private collection.
Cf. Marin, E., Salona Christiana, Split, 1994, no.6 p.220 (inv.no.H5723); Beck, H. et al., Fibel und Fibeltracht, Berlin, 2000, fig.114(1), for similar.
FootnotesCrossbow fibulae of this type were worn by high officers and, if in gold, even emperors, from Constantine to Justinian, as symbols of military rank. These fibulae are an important element in the graves, for the classification of the category of the dead, as belonging to the militia (armed or not); many of them were in gold, or gilded silver, and decorated with an inscription.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Roman Bronze Mirror
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Discoid plaque with one polished face, slightly raised rim, incised concentric rings, old label '235' to one side '258' to the other. 127 grams, 10.3 cm
Ex Louis-Gabriel Bellon (1819?-1899), France. Acquired from Jack-Philippe Ruellan, 4 April 2009, no.258. -
Roman Silver Armilla Snake Bracelet
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
With broad D-section shank and lobe terminals with snake-head detailing, incised lines and pointillé crosses to the neck, pointillé eyes. 17.7 grams, 60 mm
Private collection, Arundel, West Sussex, UK, 1975-late 1990s. -
Romano-Celtic Bronze Statuette of a Warrior Wearing Torc
Circa 1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Modelled in the round, standing with right leg bent, right arm raised and left extended before the body; with thick tousled hair, exaggerated torc to the neck, jacket with incised vertical lines, tight-fitting trousers and ankle-boots. 53 grams total, 67 mm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
The pose of the figure suggests that he is in the action of brandishing a weapon, or possibly holding the reins of a team of horses pulling a chariot. Caesar mentions the expert use of the war-chariot by the Britons (Conquest of Gaul, IV.33). The padded garment suggests a Celtic auxiliary in the Roman army.
