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LOT 0602
Roman Silver Horse Brooch
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
1 3/8 in. (7.17 grams, 35 mm).
A silver plate brooch formed as a profile horse with arched neck, notched mane, incised panels to the neck and flank with ring-and-dot ornament; pin-lugs and catch to the reverse.
ProvenanceAcquired in the late 1990s-2000.
Property of an East London gentleman.
Cf. Heeren, S. & ven der Feijst, L., Fibulae uit de lage Landen, Amersfoort, 2017, item NL-1015-02a; Bayley, J. & Butcher, S., Roman Brooches in Britain: A Technological and Typological Study based on the Richborough Collection, London, 2004, item T205, for type.
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 Pilgrim's Flask
Circa 4th century A.D.Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £750
A pale green lentoid glass flask with tubular neck and everted rim; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 252 grams, 22 cm high (481 grams total, 31.5 cm high including stand)
French collection, 1960s-early 2000s. From an important Paris gallery, France. -
Roman Tankard Handle with Actor's Mask
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
A bronze tankard handle terminating in a male mask shown with an open mouth and wild hair, degenerate foliate detailing to the stem. 94 grams, 10.8 cm
Acquired early 2000s. Property of a Birmingham, UK, collector. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Nude Crouching Woman Gaming Piece
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,755
A bronze figure or gaming piece of a nude female in crouching pose with hands placed on the hips, possibly giving birth; the hair shown drawn up in a bun, segmented armband to each upper arm. 30.4 grams, 28 mm high
Private Swiss collection, acquired 2002.
The dice features six attitudes on which it could land when rolled, one of which includes the figure's head. The earliest concrete historical evidence of games played with dice originated from ancient Egypt, circa 3000 B.C., although it is generally believed by historians that dice pre-dated the ancient Egyptian civilisation. The Romans played two games using dice: Tali and Tesserae. The former originated in Greece and features four animal bones. The aim was to roll in such a way that each die displayed a different number-the higher the combined number, the greater the score. The latter was played using three dice, the goal being to roll triple six, or to achieve the highest combined numbers out of the contestants; it was a game of chance and the most common street and tavern gambling game in ancient Rome. ‘Dogs’ referred to poor scores and ‘Venus’ to high ones. Roman players rolled dice from a special cup called a fritillium onto wood, bronze, or marble boards, depending on their class and wealth. Roman elites boasted ornate boards inscribed with their names. The gambling which ensued from dice games caused extreme social issues in Roman society, leading the government to eventually outlaw dice games, although these laws were largely ignored.
