Loading, please wait...

Romano-Celtic Bronze Statuette of a Warrior Wearing Torc Romano-Celtic Bronze Statuette of a Warrior Wearing Torc Romano-Celtic Bronze Statuette of a Warrior Wearing Torc
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Details

LOT 0129

Romano-Celtic Bronze Statuette of a Warrior Wearing Torc

CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.

2 5/8 in. (53 grams total, 67 mm).

Modelled in the round, standing with right leg bent, right arm raised and left extended before the body; with thick tousled hair, exaggerated torc to the neck, jacket with incised vertical lines, tight-fitting trousers and ankle-boots. [No Reserve]

Provenance

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.

Literature

Cf. Durham, E., Metal Figurines in Roman Britain, vol. 2, Reading, 2010, pl.124; see also Caesar (translated by S. A. Handford) The Conquest of Gaul, 1982.

Footnotes

The pose of the figure suggests that he is in the action of brandishing a weapon, or possibly holding the reins of a team of horses pulling a chariot. Caesar mentions the expert use of the war-chariot by the Britons (Conquest of Gaul, IV.33). The padded garment suggests a Celtic auxiliary in the Roman army.

CONDITION
VETTING:

TimeLine 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:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0129

Romano-Celtic Bronze Statuette of a Warrior Wearing Torc

Sold for (Inc. bp): £78

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Roman Honey-Coloured Cast Glass Flask
    Roman Honey-Coloured Cast Glass Flask
    1st century A.D.

    Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)

    Opening Bid: £500

    With piriform body, tubular neck with everted rolled rim, raised rib below the shoulder. 54 grams, 97 mm



    From an important London, UK, collection, 1970-1990s.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Bronze Statuette of Mars on Horseback
    Roman Bronze Statuette of Mars on Horseback
    2nd-3rd century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £286

    Wearing a crested helmet, cloak, bloused tunic and braccae, the god bestriding his mount with right arm raised and hand open to support a spear; mounted on a custom-made stand. 80.1 grams total, 68 mm including stand



    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.

    Lot Details

  • Roman Redware Ram Pottery Sherd
    Roman Redware Ram Pottery Sherd
    Circa 4th-5th century A.D.

    Sold for (Inc. bp): £59

    Fragment of a terracotta votive statuette representing a ram, detail to the horns, ears and fleece; set with a suspension ring on the reverse. 50 grams, 77 mm wide



    Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

    Many figurines of this type have been found in the Hellenised Roman provinces of the east and one identical in the Athenian Agora. They are all rendered with incisions that are characteristic of the technique of the late fourth century. Many similar examples were found in the Kerameikos and some are in the National Museum of Archaeology, Athens. A similar technique is observable in the handles representing animal heads which occur on red pottery ornamented with white paint.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list