Roman Zeus Statuette Hand Holding Thunderbolt

A colossal architectural limestone head of the goddess Diana (Greek Artemis) with elegant features, sensual lips and deep eyes; detailed treatment of the hairstyle in transverse braids across the brow, laurel wreath with two rows of leaves resting above the forehead; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 72 cm high including stand



Ex private Belgian collection. with Madame Andree Mace collection. English private collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Prof. Neritan Ceka. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11625-199748.

The upper part of the head, cut horizontally, creates a semi-circular surface, on which the rest of the hair, or an architectonic capital, may have been mounted. A T-shaped indentation on that surface served to secure that attachment. The back of the head, cut perpendicularly, proves that the head was made to repose on an architectural surface. The fragmentary preservation of the neck does not allow a clear determination, whether we are dealing with the head of a caryatid, i.e. the head of a sculpture in the function of a pilaster, or whether the colossal head was an architectural stone corbel, i.e. an architectural element that was placed for the support of the sima of a building of great size.

A group of seven stamped Samian ware vessel bases including specimens labelled by the collector; accompanied by a copy of the collector's typed notes, identifying four of the stamps: 'g. MARCELLI I F Marcellinus Central Gaul mid 2nd century; h. ANNIO F Annius Central Gaul early 2nd century; i. NOBILIANI Nobilianus Central Gaul; j. SOLINI.OFI Solinus (officiana) Central Gaul mid 2nd century'; three non-identified stamps, possibly reading 'AEIOX.E; [ ]ERNI; MAX[]M'. 278 grams total, 3.8-10.3 cm



Found Billingsgate spoil from the Thames foreshore, London, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK. Accompanied by a copy of a typed original identification document from the Museum of London dated 29th August 1984.

A sheet-bronze votive plaque fragment displaying repoussé ornament, likely the god Asclepius holding his snake-entwined staff beneath a columned arch, additional snakes raising their heads and necks beside and above him, other enigmatic symbols in the field. 2.67 grams, 52 mm



Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.

Aesculapius, god of medicine, the Greek Asclepius, son of Apollo and a mortal, Coronis, is often accompanied by a snake, a symbol of wisdom and healing power. Aesculapius-Asclepius is also often represented with the staff having a snake wrapped around it.