Roman Terracotta Roof Tile and Bronze Brooch Fragment Group

An impressive carved herm of the tragic author of the tragic author Euripides, portrayed as an elderly man with full beard and long hair forming compact, slightly wavy strands, radiating from a single point at the back of the head and combed forwards over the forehead; heavy brow and small mouth; cracked and repaired. 7.46 kg, 25 cm



English private collection, acquired in the late 1970s/early 1980s. David Cambridge, Cheltenham. with Galerie Chenel, Paris, acquired from the above in 1998. French private collection, acquired from the above in 1999/2000. Ancient Marbles, Classical Sculpture and works of art; Sotheby's, London, 13 June 2016, no.49. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12191-222443.

Euripides was a classical Athenian playwright and one of the three great tragedians of ancient Greece, alongside Aeschylus and Sophocles. Born in 480 B.C., his work is renowned for its complex characters and psychological depth, often exploring the darker aspects of human nature and societal norms. Euripides' plays, such as Medea, The Bacchae, and Hippolytus, are marked by their innovative use of mythological themes to comment on contemporary issues.

Amuletic fascinum formed as a crescent with phallus to the right, hand in the fica gesture to the left and male genitals below; each with a loop beneath for attachment of another pendant; large loop above and attachment strap with stud. 81.5 grams, 68 mm



Acquired in Europe in 1990s. European private collection.

Modelled in seated pose, wearing a stylised Corinthian helmet, breastplate with gorgoneion motif, draped stola; right hand extended to support a patera, left hand raised holding the shaft of a spear (absent); hollow to the reverse underside; repaired; mounted on a custom-made stand. 717 grams total, 91 mm including stand



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.