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LOT 0948
Romano-British Bronze Horse and Celtic Warrior Rider Statuette
CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
3 5/8 in. (189 grams total, 92 mm including stand).
Two-part model comprising: galloping horse with fore-legs extended, detailed mane; rider wearing a crested helmet, cloak billowing to the rear, knee-length tunic with gathered waist, legs curved to the rear; mounted on a custom-made stand. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFound UK.
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.
Cf. Durham, E., Metal Figurines in Roman Britain, vol. 2, Reading, 2010, pl.87a,b, for type.
CONDITIONTimeLine 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:
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LOT 0948
Romano-British Bronze Horse and Celtic Warrior Rider Statuette
Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
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Roman Terracotta Wine Flagon
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
With globular body, thick basal ring, tall columnar neck with biconical collar, single strap handle to the rear. 275 grams, 13.5 cm high
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Gold Ring with Cabochon
3rd-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £975
With a triple ropework band, broad shoulders with openwork spirals increasing in size towards the centre; raised circular bezel with twisted wire border, set with a glass cabochon. 5.00 grams, 23.01 mm overall, 16.99 x 16.87 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K, USA 5 1/4, Europe 9.95, Japan 9)
From a private European collection, since 1975. with Christie's, London, 14 April 2011, no.361 (part). Ex New York, USA, collection. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages. Accompanied by an old cataloguing slip. -
Roman Gold Rings for a Married Couple with Nicolo Bust Gemstones
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,160
Comprising two matching solid hoops with expanding shoulders, each set with a dark blue nicolo intaglio, one bearing a profile bust of a young Hercules, and the other with a profile bust of a woman wearing a taenia or a wreath on her head. 12.83 grams total, 20.25 mm overall, 15.50 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G, USA 3 1/4, Europe 4.92, Japan 4) 20.86 mm overall, 16.35 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H, USA 3 3/4, Europe 6.18, Japan 6)
From the private collection of the late A.B., London, UK; acquired before 1989. Accompanied from an archaeological report of Dr. Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12006-213034.
The iconography here is simple, possibly referring to a married couple, or to important public persons. The 5th century Roman writer Macrobius wrote that the engagement ring was worn on the fourth finger. Legend has it that the vena amoris, literally the ‘vein of love’, ran from the heart to the fourth finger of the left hand. Gemstones and fancy embellishments have been found in Roman rings of every age, although usually for engagement or wedding rings the iconography of clasped hands, symbolising the ‘fides’ among the spouses, was used. Intaglio portraits were engraved into a large variety of stones but nicolo, carnelian and red jasper were generally the most popular for imperial portraits or for the members of the imperial family.
