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_900x900.jpg "Roman 'The Wakefield' Bronze Founding of Rome Commemorative Military Phalera")
_200x200.jpg "Roman 'The Wakefield' Bronze Founding of Rome Commemorative Military Phalera")
.jpg "Roman 'The Wakefield' Bronze Founding of Rome Commemorative Military Phalera")
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.
ProvenanceBelieved 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.
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).
FootnotesMilitary 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.
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AUCTIONS:
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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)
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Roman Gold Ring with Gemstone
1st-2nd century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £2,860
Hollow-formed finger ring with broad plaque; with a later gemstone of an eagle and snake within a wreath; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.28 grams, 24.52 mm overall, 16.95 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I, USA 4 1/4, Europe 7.44, Japan 7)
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12107-218183. -
Roman Lead Figure of Aphrodite Holding a Severed Swan's Head
1st-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £600
Modelled in the round nude and and raising her right arm, holding the neck of the swan (her animal attribute); left arm descending towards her pubis, legs in contrapposto stance; gusseted drum-shaped base. 327 grams, 19.5 cm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12099-218223.
Although the presence of the swan in this position is rather rare, iconographically, this image is part of the abundant series of statuettes of Aphrodite/Venus widely distributed during the Roman Imperial era. -
Gallo-Roman Bronze Statuette of a Rider God
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Modelled in the round as a nude horseman with legs spread, musculature suggested to the chest and abdomen, shoulder-length hair with wavy locks, almond-shaped eyes and snub nose; right hand extended palm-upwards; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 154 grams total, 11 cm 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.
The type has similarities with representations of Mercury on horseback, who is shown in an identical position. Images of Romano-Celtic rider-gods, possibly associated with the Roman god of war Mars, used similar iconography. There are a number of such rider statuettes from Roman Britain and Gaul, potentially votive offerings to a deity.
