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LOT 0634
Roman 'Thames' Leather Marching Shoe Sole Group
1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.
8 7/8 - 9 5/8 in. (248 grams total, 22.5-24.5 cm).
With perforations for attachment to the shoe uppers through nails; one fragmentary. [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound by Steve Brooker on the Thames foreshore at Embankment, London, UK, 2001.
Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman.
Cf. Trustees of the British Museum, Antiquities of the Roman Britain, London, 1964, p.11 fig.4, for similar, from London.
FootnotesWaterlogged conditions on the Thames waterfront have created the oxygen-free environment needed for the survival of ancient organic artefacts. Among the studied or published Roman leatherwork from London, 89% is composed of footwear. The introduction of vegetable tanned leather and the expansion of ironworking were some of the major technological innovations of the Roman period; allowing the mass production of sturdy, hobnailed shoes.
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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Large Roman Iridescent Glass Vessel
3rd-4th century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
With broad shoulder, slender neck, stepped neck and upwards-flaring rim, two applied rectangular handles; iridescent surfaces. 143 grams, 17 cm high
Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private collection since 1998. -
Roman Coin and Limited Edition Framed Print
3rd century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £26
The coin mounted on 22 carat gold foil, framed with an art print signed by the artist David McAllister, depicting scenes of Roman military activity; limited edition number 23/1150. 1.3 kg total, 48.5 x 36.5 cm
UK gallery, early 2000s. Accompanied by an old certificate of authenticity.
David McAllister's exciting design is a 'one of a kind' work that portrays the might and riches of the Roman civilisation. This limited edition print is a celebration of the award winning artist's lifetime dedication to historical paintings of the ancient world. To enhance appreciation of this rare and historic work, each individual print is signed and numbered by the artist. -
Roman Translucent Glass Bottle
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Having piriform-globular body and everted rim, tubular neck and flat base with small kick. 20 grams, 11.5 cm high
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
The bottle seems to belong to the type 13 of the De Tommaso classification, but with a more piriform body. By the 1st century A.D., the technique of glass-blowing revolutionised the art of glass-making and allowed for the production of small medicine, incense, and perfume containers in new forms. Glass unguentaria, bottles and vessels of various shapes were manufactured with blow-pipes, free-blown, or mould-blown, and were prevalent throughout the all the provinces of the huge empire.