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LOT 0112
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.
ProvenanceAcquired 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.
Exhibited at the Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 8th June 2026-14th September 2026; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefacts on display.
LiteratureCf. 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.
FootnotesThis type of vessel (spouted jugs with trefoil mouth) was part of Roman and provincial bronze instrumentum domesticum, i.e. culinary or domestic utility ware. The typology was assigned by H.U. Nuber to the E type (Millingen type), pieces characterised by a trefoil, highly splayed rim, a short neck and usually a spherical body.
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LOT 0112
Roman Vessel with Actor's Mask Handle
Estimate £2,000 - 3,000€2,320 - 3,480 (for guidance only)$2,700 - 4,050 (for guidance only)
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Roman Bone Artefact Collection
1st-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
Mixed group of implements, including pins, awls, and other types. 66 grams total, 5-13.8 cm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Large Roman Glass Bangle
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Plano-convex in section with a series of impressed images, mainly a single bust in profile and two profile busts opposed, the placement eccentric but regular; repaired. 33.3 grams, 84 mm
From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent. Accompanied by the original collector's data sheet(s) with reference no.A81; and original C.J. Martin invoice dated 4th November 1989. -
Roman Enamelled Bronze Fantail Bow Brooch
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Comprising a T-shaped headplate with ring above, deep bow with incuse ring-and-dot motif to the centre and four surrounding pellets, transverse ribbing developing to a trapezoidal foot with incuse lattice motif; traces of enamel fill to the bow and foot; catchplate to reverse. 7.86 grams, 49 mm
From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent. Accompanied by the original collector's data sheet(s) with reference no.A75.
