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LOT 0141
Roman Silver Miniature Herm
1ST-3RD CENTURY A.D.
2 in. (27 grams, 52 mm).
Comprising a square-section tapering body with lateral stub arms; head of Mercury (Greek Hermes) above with applied twisted gold collar, low-relief shoulder panels, genitals modelled in the round, low-relief horned figure below.
ProvenanceAcquired in the mid 1980s-1990s.
From the family collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, thence by descent.
Private collection since the late 1990s.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12103-218207.
Cf. similar figure of earlier date in the British Museum under accession no.1912,1125.13.
FootnotesThis object, was likely votive and perhaps belonged to a small domestic altar of the Roman imperial era, reproduced in miniature size a Hermaic pillar. These were terminals made of stone or wood which were often placed on the roads, near crossings; they served to indicate the right path and therefore were supposed to protect travellers when traveling. In Roman times, these pillars were often topped with busts or portraits and were also found in the gardens of wealthy homes; gods (Hermes and Bacchus in particular) or philosophers were the subjects thus represented.
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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LOT 0141
Roman Silver Miniature Herm
Estimate £2,500 - 3,500€2,900 - 4,060 (for guidance only)$3,380 - 4,730 (for guidance only)
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Roman Bronze Vessel with Galleys
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
Squat jar with concentric rings to the base, flared rim to the mouth three high-relief galley images to the shoulder. 166 grams, 43 mm high
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.
The vase evokes a scene of maritime or river trade, usually linked to navigation on the Rhine or on the great rivers of Roman Gaul. In particular, the shape of the ship and the three people only half visible on its deck closely resemble the famous relief of the wine merchants of Neumagen-Dhron. The small jar was probably for domestic toilette use. -
Roman Bronze Mixed Bow Brooch Group
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Including T-shaped, Langton Down, Dolphin, Colchester and other types. 63.8 grams total, 41-78 mm
Found Wiltshire, UK, before 1974. -
Antiquarian Research and Photograph Albums of Various Roman Sites in Britain
1960s-1980s A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Comprising six albums: a photo album with pictures from Calleva Atrebatum, Roman Silchester in Hampshire, England, showing categorised images of artefacts and displays from Reading museum with handwritten information labels, including mosaics, jewellery, beads, pottery, tiles and other artefacts; a photo album with images from Tullie House Museum showing pictures of oil lamps, oil lamps, pottery, some with handwritten information labels, also containing images from Colchester Castle Museum comprising images of pottery, Samian ware moulds, and other artefacts, and images from Wroxeter Roman city, pictures of six stones from the Roman camp at Old Penrith, pictures from Newcastle Museum, and from Great Witcombe villa in Gloucestershire; an album with postcards and printed information cards from Vindolanda, a Roman auxiliary fort south of Hadrian's Wall showing life and costumes during Roman occupation; another album with photographs from Corbridge, a Roman town south of Hadrian's Wall, pictures taken at Aldborough Roman town, and pictures from Yorkshire Museum in York; an album containing black-and-white images of mainly Roman and Byzantine coins; a scrap book with labelled pictures and postcards from Chedworth Roman Villa, Chesters Roman Fort in Northumberland, Housesteads Roman Fort, antiquities in Chesters Museum, Hadrian's Wall area, Aesica (Great Chesters), Vindolanda, and miscellaneous pictures of historic places and artefacts. 12.9 kg total, 26.5 x 28.5 - 33.5 x 29 cm
From the collection of a late East Anglian teacher and antiquarian who retired to the Isle of Wight in Hampshire, UK. He amassed a large collection of objects between the 1960s-1980s.
