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LOT 0925
Roman Silver Horse Brooch
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
1 1/2 in. (16.5 grams, 37 mm).
Zoomorphic bow brooch with hexagonal-section head and hinge for the pin, bow forming the horse's body and smaller bow for the neck with hatched mane; catch formed by the forelegs.
ProvenanceAcquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s.
From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman.
Cf. Heeren, S. & van der Feijst, L., Fibulae uit de Lage Landen. Beschrijving, Analyse en Interpretatie van een Archeologische Vondstcategorie, Amersfoort, 2017, plate 26, item 28.
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 Silver Ring with 'of him who is virtuous, beautiful' Garnet Gemstone
Late 2nd-early 3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
Comprising a D-section hoop with angled shoulders; applied gold sheet with hatched border to the bezel, set with a dark set carnelian intaglio engraved with a monogram 'ΚΑΛΟΥ' (of him who is virtuous, beautiful). 6.42 grams, 22.80 mm overall, 16.58 mm internal diameter (approximate size British E, USA 2 1/4, Europe 2.41, Japan 2)
Property of a North American gallery since the 1990s.
This category of silver rings, with rounded shoulders is characteristic of the 3rd century A.D. This is also supported by the dating of the Sliven treasury, a grave find with coins dated to the 2nd-3rd century A.D., where a high conically cut gem decorated with the image of Helios was found on a similar ring, with a high bezel (like here) decorated in its oblique part with oblique hatches resembling pearl-like cord. -
Roman Bronze Bust of a Youth
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Modelled in the half-round with a dressed hair and stylised facial features; bare-chested except for a folded cloak fastened over his left shoulder. 34.5 grams, 42.5 mm
Acquired from J. S. Fine Art, Bodicote, Oxfordshire, UK. Property of a Shropshire private collector. -
Roman and Other Glass and Stone Bead Group
1st millennium B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £208
Comprising a quantity of mixed beads, mainly oblate and cylindrical in form, including glass, modelled, faience and stone etc. 58.5 grams total, 1-14 mm
UK gallery, early 2000s.
The use of amber beads as amulets in the Roman world is well attested, even in Britain (series of bracelets have been found in late Roman graves at Cirencester and Colchester). The amber beads were associated with pierced coins, pierced dog’s teeth and a lunate pendant. Pliny said that amber was beneficial to infants ‘when attached to the body in the form of an amulet'.
