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LOT 0840
Roman Silver Crossbow Brooch
CIRCA 4TH CENTURY A.D.
3 1/8 in. (43 grams, 80 mm).
Of early type with lemon-shaped knop above the round-section crossbar, facetted bow with impressed crow's foot motifs to the outer edge and faceted knop finials, D-section footplate with lateral chamfered edges and catchplate to reverse, hinged pin behind the crossbar.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.
LiteratureCf. Hattatt, R., Brooches of Antiquity, Oxford, 1987, item 1260.
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 Glass Double Handled Flask with Trailing
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
With oblate body and dimple base, tubular neck with rolled rim, two lateral knee-shaped handles to the shoulder; applied trail to the lower neck. 64 grams, 12.3 cm
Ex London, UK, gentleman, 1990s. -
Roman Mosaic Stone Tesserae Group
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
A mixed group of two hundred and fifty single tesserae of various colours and sizes, mostly cuboid. 350 grams total, 7-14 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.
Roman mosaics were made from small cubes of natural stone and terracotta possibly cut from tile or brick. Each of these small cubes was called a tessera (plural tesserae) from the Latin word for dice. -
Roman Silver Ring with Iron Core and Mars Standing
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £156
The hoop with expanded shoulders and a sub-rectangular bezel with a raised oval intaglio image of the God Mars standing right, wearing a helmet. 16.01 grams, 27.09 mm overall, 23.53 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)
From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.
Mars Ultor was linked with Roman war imagery. Mars represented military power, the strength of the army and violence in battle. The ring was probably a gift for a soldier.