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LOT 0643
Roman Silver-Gilt Cicada Brooch
4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (3.82 grams, 23 mm).
A silver-gilt brooch in form of cicada with hollow-formed D-section head and neck, flat triangular wings; the head with bulbous eyes above a waisted neck; granule detailing to the head; pin-lug and catch-wire to the reverse.
ProvenanceAcquire in the 1990s.
Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.
Cf. Bona, I., Les Huns, Le Grand empire barbare d'Europe,IV-V siècles, Paris, 2002, figs.178-179, for similar examples.
FootnotesThis type of brooch was popular among the Hunnic tribes, as well as in Roman Pannonia and Illyricum before the arrival of the Huns. Early Hunnic designs from Pannonia may have borrowed from late Roman types. With the arrival of new populations due to migration from the east,
a new material culture developed, described as the Danubian or Ponto-Danubian style, as many of its features appear in the Pontic region as
well. Although the exact meaning of the cicada brooch is not known to us, it is possible that it retained its ancient symbolism of rebirth or regeneration of the soul.
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Roman 'Thames' Samian Ware Stamped Fragment Group
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
A group of seven stamped Samian ware vessel bases including specimens labelled by the collector; accompanied by a copy of the collector's typed notes, identifying four of the stamps: 'g. MARCELLI I F Marcellinus Central Gaul mid 2nd century; h. ANNIO F Annius Central Gaul early 2nd century; i. NOBILIANI Nobilianus Central Gaul; j. SOLINI.OFI Solinus (officiana) Central Gaul mid 2nd century'; three non-identified stamps, possibly reading 'AEIOX.E; [ ]ERNI; MAX[]M'. 278 grams total, 3.8-10.3 cm
Found Billingsgate spoil from the Thames foreshore, London, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a typed original identification document from the Museum of London dated 29th August 1984. -
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Roman Mouse Holding Nut
1st-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
A freestanding bronze figure of a mouse sitting on its haunches, eating a large nut, stylised incised detailing to its textured coat, feet, ears and face; small socket to wedge-shaped base. 17.8 grams, 27 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK. -
Roman Gilt Silver Openwork Lettering Group
3rd-4th century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
A gilt-silver openwork bar displaying the Latin word 'VIVA'; the A now separate. 0.53 grams total, 6-13 mm
Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman.
