Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0898
Roman 'The Wakefield' Bronze Founding of Rome Commemorative Military Phalera
1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
2 3/8 in. (39 grams, 62 mm).
With high-relief image depicting a she-wolf in profile advancing beneath a tree, with an infant or boy (Romulus?) on its back, nude and looking up towards the tree.
Provenance
Believed to have been found in Wakefield, UK, in the 1960s.
From the Roman 'Invasion Period' private collection of Brian Riley, Wakefield, UK, 1960s-2007.
Acquired from Brian Riley, Yorkshire, UK, circa 2007.
Property of a Stowmarket, UK, gentleman.
Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Literature
Cf. Maxfield, V.A., The military decorations of the Roman Army, Los Angeles, 1981; D’Amato, R., Sumner G., Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier: From Marius to Commodus, 112 BC-AD 192, London, 2009; cf. also a phalera in the Getty Museum collection, accession no.81.AM.87.2 (Hellenistic-Parthian phalera representing a lion attacking a stag).
Footnotes
Military phalerae usually depicted heads of the gods, spirits of the underworld, birds and lions. The higher officers in the Roman army had the custom of wearing a rich suite of phalerae with its straps directly attached to leather garments or doublets, worn over their armour. These decorations were awarded in sets, commonly of nine, although sources confirm that this was not an always the case.
CONDITIONVETTING:
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.
LOT 0898
Roman 'The Wakefield' Bronze Founding of Rome Commemorative Military Phalera
Estimate £800 - 1,000€930 - 1,160 (for guidance only)$1,080 - 1,350 (for guidance only)
RELATED LOTS
-
Roman Holy Land Terracotta Oil Lamp Group
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Each with broad squat body, raised rim to the discus, extended nozzle and basal ring. 167 grams total, 9.5-10.2 cm
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 Gold Ring with Bird Gemstone
4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £364
Comprising a round-section hoop supporting a cup-shaped bezel, inset domed garnet engraved with a standing bird. 2.39 grams, 23.97 mm overall, 17.15 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)
Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970-2000s. -
Roman Bronze Figure of a Young Satyr of Dionysian Cortege
Circa 1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
Modelled in the round with putto-like features, holding a nebris draped over his shoulders in the manner of Dionysus, with tousled hair and pointed ears; one foot absent; mounted on a custom-made stand. 316 grams total, 15 cm high including stand
Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1A 2JB, 1998-2003. with Bonhams, London, Knightsbridge, 16-17 May 2002, no.305. Property of a London based academic, 2003-present. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonham's catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12052-217493.
The young satyr is covered by a nebris, a deer skin, similar to an aegis, originally worn as an item of clothing by hunters and subsequently attributed to Dionysus. Consequently, it was adopted by his followers in the processions and ceremonies held in his honour, during the liturgical celebrations of the Dionysia. It was commonly worn in the same way as an aegis, tying the two front legs over the right shoulder to allow the body of the skin to cover the wearer's left side (Ovid, Metamorphoses, VI, 593). In ancient works it is seen worn by characters of the Dionysian procession: Maenads, Bacchae, Satyrs, and Sileni.
