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LOT 0724
Romano-Celtic Bronze Ring with Tree of Life
1ST CENTURY B.C.- 1ST CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (7.62 grams, 26.22 mm overall, 19.80 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U, USA 10, Europe 22.52, Japan 21)).
Slender D-section hoop with large discoid bezel with incuse tree of life motif. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000.
From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
Cf. Henkel, F., Die Romische Fingerringe der Rheinlande, Berlin, 1913, items 1003-1006, pl.XXXIX, for the type.
FootnotesThe ring belongs to the category where the bezel and the ring’s platform merge together, forming a round plate. The round bezel is often decorated with an animal figure, but in this specimen, it is ornamented with the Celtic pattern of the Tree of Life.
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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Roman Glass Flask
Circa 1st-4th century A.D.Estimate: £120 - 170 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £60
Comprising a piriform body with dimple at the base, tubular neck and everted rolled rim. 39 grams, 14.5 cm
From a London, UK, collection of glass, 1970-2000s. -
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Large Roman Bronze Robed Torso
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Estimate: £30,000 - 40,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £16,667
Likely representing Harpocrates, depicted frontally and wearing a draped full-length himation, the right arm raised and left arm bent at the elbow; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 7.55 kg total, 53.5 cm high including stand
Private collection, Hong Kong, acquired in the 1970s. Spanish art market. Acquired by the present owner from the above. 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 a search certificate number no.13040-248071.
The body of this statue was hollow-cast by the lost wax method; traces of solder within the arm sockets and around the neck indicate that the arms and head were cast separately. The position of the body and comparative images suggest the statue represents Harpocrates. Harpocrates, the son of Isis and Horus, was one of the most represented children, especially after the diffusion of his cult into the Roman Empire. He is usually depicted naked, but draped figures of the god were produced in the Hellenised east and spread throughout the Empire. Statues of Harpocrates were at the entrance of almost all temples, to indicate that in those places the gods should have been honoured with silence, or, according to Plutarch, men who had an imperfect knowledge of the divinity should only speak of it with respect. -
Eastern Roman Bronze Ring with Plant
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Comprising a D-section hoop and plaque bezel with a palm tree emerging from behind two boulders. 4.25 grams, 23.11 mm overall, 19.93 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)
London, UK, art market, 1980s. Private collection, London, UK.
