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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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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Fitting in the Form of a Female Bust
Coptic, 4th-6th century A.D.Estimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
Carved bone with concave reverse; profile female bust with neatly dressed hair, himation at the shoulder; old collector's label '10' to the reverse. 17.81 grams, 49 mm
European collection formed in the early 1980s. with Bonhams London, 27 April 2006, lot 356. Accompanied by a copy of an IADAA Interpol search certificate. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Bonham's catalogue pages. -
Roman Silver Ring with Inscription to the Sides
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
With a keeled hoop having a Greek inscription to both sides beneath the bezel; expanding shoulders with triangular panels engraved with palmettes; tiered bezel, the lower level with incised Greek key design to the short edges, the second level with a zig-zag pattern around the perimeter, the round top part with an incised bird motif. 10.38 grams, 27.41 mm overall, 17.36 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)
Ex London art market, 1990s. -
Roman Bronze Scallop Shell Attachment Pair
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £1,200 - 1,700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £667
Each composed of shell-shaped body with a D-shaped lug to reverse, the lug with tapering spike to the centre. 343 grams total, 12.5 cm each
Private collection, Rosenheim, Germany, 1960s.
This pair could have been used as a double key or door lock, based on comparison with some keys from the territory of Gaul (Boucher, 1971, pp.200-201). They comprised a strong ring with polygonal-section stem and a rectangular point.
