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LOT 0689
Roman Terracotta Wine Flagon
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
5 1/4 in. (275 grams, 13.5 cm high).
With globular body, thick basal ring, tall columnar neck with biconical collar, single strap handle to the rear.
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.
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Roman Bronze and Bone Knuckle-Bones Gaming Piece Group
Circa 1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £598
Group comprising: two bone astragali smoothed for use as gaming pieces; bronze model of the same. 80 grams total, 31-35 mm
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. -
Roman Bronze Mount with Dolphin
1st-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
Fragment of a vessel with integral dolphin modelled in the round with hatched fins, pellet eyes, looped tail for attachment of a cord or light chain. 94 grams, 72 mm
Acquired in Europe in 1990. European private collection. -
Roman Marble Janiform Herm Head of Ariadne and a Maenad
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5,556
Carved architectural element depicting a double herm comprising: a diademed female bust with long wavy hair framing the face, slender features with small mouth and raised lids; the other side with a diademed female with hair arranged in neat curls on the forehead, large eyes and small mouth, taenia shown on each side of the neck; base reworked with drilled sockets for mounting. 12.6 kg, 29 cm high
Old collection, acquired in the 1970s. Acquired by inheritance from Mr N.S. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Marina Mattei and Dr Laura Maria Vigna. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12084-211893.
The head with elaborately curled hair and diadem could represent Ariadne, as shown by comparisons with a fragment of a two-faced herm with bearded Dionysus and Ariadne preserved in the Antiquarium Ostiense, dated to the lmperial Roman age. The heads could be interpreted either as Ariadne and a Maenad, or as two Maenads being characterised by the diadem and long taeniae. The association of these figures with Dionysus is congruent with the typology of the herm, which refers to rural places and theatres. Numerous herms in fact attest that this type of sculpture was used in contexts linked to Dionysus and his sacred procession as well as, obviously, the representation of Ariadne, his female partner and double. The example fits into the class of domestic sculpture with a decorative function, mostly used to adorn peristyles and viridaria; the type placed at the crown of columns and pillars is quite documented, in particular in the version with the head of Dionysus contrasted with that of Ariadne or a Maenad.
