Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0968
Roman Silver 'SPES BONA' Crossbow Brooch
3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
2 3/8 in. (14.4 grams, 60.6 mm).
Collared onion knop finials, deep keeled bow inscribed to the side 'SPES BONΛ' for good hope, the words separated with foliate scrolls, similar motifs to the other side, a band of linear decoration to the top of the bow; short foot with volute scrolls.
Provenance
Ex German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
VETTING:
TimeLine 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:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
RELATED LOTS
-
Roman Vine Leaf-Shaped Gold Pendant
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
Formed of four sheet-gold panels, suspension loop above. 0.14 grams, 9 mm
Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Roman Bronze Ring with Fish
Circa 4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
With incised braid detailing to the shoulders, ellipsoid bezel with incuse fish motifs. 5.23 grams, 18.73 mm overall, 14.51 mm internal diameter
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Roman Silver Cochlearium Spoon
2nd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
With 'swan-neck' junction; facetted, round-section tapering shank; shallow bowl shaped like a flask in profile. 19.7 grams, 17.5 cm
Property of a Bedfordshire, UK, private collector. Accompanied by an illustrated collector's identification tag. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The spoon's shaft tapers to a point; it was used for extracting seafood or snails from their shells. Spoons executed in precious metals were highly valued items in this period in history, so much so that historians and classicists see them recorded in inventories compiled for noble households. Cochlearia like this one have even been discovered in treasure hoards. The absence of Christian symbolism or of a Christian inscription on this spoon might suggest that it dates from a pre-Christian era, or that its owner/commissioner was pagan.