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LOT 0484
Romano-Egyptian Bronze Ring with Snake Heads
1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (4.99 grams, 24.51 mm overall, 17.75 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)).
Penannular in form with scale detailing to the shoulders, opposed serpent-head finials.
ProvenanceEx German art market, 2000s.
Acquired from an EU collector living in London.
From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 217.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0484
Romano-Egyptian Bronze Ring with Snake Heads
Estimate £150 - 200€170 - 230 (for guidance only)$200 - 270 (for guidance only)
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From the 4th century B.C. onwards, small-scale sculptures developed into a rich repertoire of grotesque types. These so-called grotesques were an enhancement of the Hellenistic interest in the human body and its weakness and imperfections by depicting disfigured individuals. According to some scholars, terracotta (and bronze) figurines of this kind were life-like representations of beggars and others who gathered at big feasts in temples or at the houses of the wealthy. In the latter case, they indicated the importance and wealth of the host as the more beggars an event attracted, the greater the fortune of the event organiser. By implication, the bronze and terracotta portraits of these marginal people could have become symbols and charms of good luck that would have been placed in private houses. Christian von Faber-Castell (born 1950) is a renowned German entrepreneur and art collector, best known as a member of the prominent Faber-Castell family, famed for their iconic writing instruments. A passionate advocate for art and culture, Christian von Faber-Castell curated an extensive and diverse private collection of erotica, spanning centuries and cultures. His collection reflects a deep appreciation for the interplay of beauty, sensuality, and artistic expression, bringing together rare and unique works that explore themes of intimacy and human connection. Pieces from this collection have been featured in notable exhibitions and are celebrated for their artistic and historical significance. This offering represents a rare opportunity to acquire works from one of the most fascinating and eclectic private collections of its kind.
