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LOT 0163
Romano-British Bronze Owl Candlestick
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
4 1/8 in. (70 grams, 10.5 cm).
Comprising a stylised owl figurine standing on a flared base, with incised feather detailing to the wings, legs and body, recessed eyes to accept glass inserts (one absent); fitted with a separately modelled cowl or hood with incised detail to the breast, topped with a conical finial to accept a candle.
ProvenanceAcquired in the 1980s.
From the Belgian collection of Mr D.S. of Flemu.
Property of a North London, UK, gentleman.
Cf. similar owl figurine found in the Cotswolds and recorded with the PAS under reference. GLO-452F33, published in Current Archaeology, 1st June 2022; M.J. Green Corpus of Small Cult-Objects from the Military Areas of Roman Britain, BAR British Series, Oxford, 1978.
FootnotesThe owl was the symbol of the Goddess Minerva in Roman tradition. Her name is linked etymologically to the English word 'mind' and she was considered to be the source of human intellect, patron of wisdom, crafts and sciences.
The base of the figurine has been bent laterally as if to mount it on a post or rail.
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Roman Terracotta Fragment and Tesserae Group
1st-6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13
Comprising cuboid tesserae, vessel fragments and a fragmentary oil lamp with Christian cross to the underside. 596 grams total, 2.1-10.5 cm
UK gallery, early 2000s. -
Roman Bronze and Other Artefact Group
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Comprising mixed artefacts including: bronze brooches, mounts, implements, a bell, a stylus, and others, most fragmentary; an iron razor and a group of glass fragments. 450 grams total, 1.5-12.4 cm
Acquired in the 1980s-1990s. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman. -
Roman Lead Plaque with Figures
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Obverse with a beaded border and one loop enclosing an image of three figures: at the centre Minerva wearing a crested helmet and with a shield at her feet, on the left Abundantia with a frond in her bent arm, on the right Mercury with cap and caduceus; reverse with concentric rings. 11.1 grams, 40 mm
Private collection, 1980s. From the collection of a London antiquarian.
The lead medallions were worn as elements of protection from the gods represented on them, but also used by soldiers as seals. Several lead medallions with images of emperors, male deities (Mars), military heads and imperial initials were found in the military chancellery of Carnuntum. The presence of loops on our specimen points to its use as a prophylactic medallion.
