Loading, please wait...

Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Details

LOT 0761

Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle

EARLY 3RD CENTURY A.D.

5 1/4 in. (695 grams, 13.2 cm).

A squat jar in lead-rich copper-alloy with concentric rings to the base, bulbous body, trefoil mouth with egg-and-dart detailing, strap handle with vine-leaf detailing, actor's mask at the lower end and a lion's head with open mouth at the other.

Provenance

Acquired on the Swiss art market, 2001.
Private European collection.

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.12586-232162.

Published

Exhibited at the Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 12th March-9th June 2025; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefacts on display.

Literature

Cf. Nuber, H.U., Kanne und Griffschale. Ihr Gebrauch im täglichen Leben und die Beigabe in Gräbern der römischen Kaiserzeit, BRGK 53, 1972 (1973), 1–232, pp.45-54 (esp.48-52), fig.7a-d, pl.3, no.2, 4 no.1, 7 nos.1-4; Petrovszky, Studien zu römischen Bronzegefäßen mit Meisterstempeln, Kölner Studien zur Archäologie der Römischen Provinzen 1, Buch am Erlbach 1993, p.112, for jugs with actor’s mask; for examples of Roman jugs in precious metal of this typology represented in Roman art, Mustata, S., The Roman Metal Vessels from Dacia Porolissensis, Cluj-Napoca, 2017, fig.7; for similar specimen in copper-alloy idem, pl.XXIII, and no.30, from Cluj-Napoca.

CONDITION
VETTING:

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.

Live Bidding

LOT 0761

Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle

Estimate £2,500 - 3,500€2,900 - 4,060 (for guidance only)$3,380 - 4,730 (for guidance only)

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Roman Gold Spiral-Twisted Wire Bracelet with Central Bezel
    Lot 0108
    Roman Gold Spiral-Twisted Wire Bracelet with Central Bezel
    2nd-3rd century A.D.

    Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000 (‡+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £1,800

    Penannular hollow-form bracelet formed from a spiral-wound rod with an end-cap and loop; closure by means of a hollow-formed cap with fluted sidewall and dome to upper face with granulation detailing. 35.78 grams, 80 mm



    with Bukowski's Stockholm, December 2002, no.719. Acquired by the current owner from the above. Private collection, Stockholm. Accompanied by copies of a Swedish cultural export licence, no. RAA-2025-1646. 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.12958-242701.

    Such bracelets were widespread in the Roman period, during the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D., with a variation of dimensions, bezels and materials. On some artefacts, the sleeves making up the twist were hollow tubes filled with stucco, resin or plaster, preventing them from deforming. The stucco was left in the sleeve to give it a greater impact resistance, but this did not allow for longer welding of the tubes by fire, because the composition would boil.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Glass Bottle Collection
    Lot 0949
    Roman Glass Bottle Collection
    1st-4th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £130

    Including a miniature amphora with ribbed collar to the neck and other types. 81 grams total, 84-98 mm



    with Archaeologia, Switzerland, before 1983. Ex private North American collection. London private collection, 2016.

    Lot Details

  • Iron Ring with Jasper Gemstone
    Lot 0837
    Iron Ring with Jasper Gemstone
    Roman, 1st-3rd century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £117

    Ferrous hoop with inset cloison to the bezel, profile female bust with laurel wreath to the brow. 6.13 grams, 27.23 mm overall, 16.19x18.91 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)



    with Archaeologia, Switzerland, before 1983. Ex private North American collection. London private collection, 2016.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list