Unique Relics Of The Grandeur That Was Rome
PAINTING MARBLE GLASS JEWELRY IVORY LEGIONARY METAL FIGURES POTTERY FIGURES VESSELS TOOLS OTHER
ROMAN SCULPTURE
THE EMPEROR HADRIAN 12887. ROMAN MARBLE HEAD OF HADRIAN. Rome, 2nd-3rd century AD. Portrait head of the Roman emperor Hadrian (117-138). Carved in the round from fine-grained white Roman marble with finely polished surfaces. The 33 cm. height of this piece is slightly larger than life size. It powerfully depicts the emperor with his head turned slightly turned to the left, gaze fixed straight in front of him. His face is framed by thick curly hair and beard. The forehead is broad and smooth, the thick eyebrows are rendered with finely engraved features. The eye sockets are strongly chiaroscuro and his eyes are characterized by elongated eyelids carved in relief. The powerful wide nose increases the stern visage of the emperor. The cheekbones are high and strong, the bottoms of the ears show beneath the curly hair; the mouth is slightly open; the neck has an anatomically accurate modeling. The nose, ears and a few curls are chipped otherwise in excellent original condition. Left side.
With Hadrian begins a series of imperial Roman portraits bearded in imitation of the Greek philosophers. A wonderful classic sculpture that communicates the dignity and authority of this emperor who ruled at the pinnacle of the Roman empire.
Provenance: A Florentine collection, Ex Dea Moneta. Comes with a 2009 Italian export permit. Italian export permit page 1. Italian export document page 2.
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PORTRAIT OF NERO? AS A BOY 11680. LIFE SIZED ROMAN MARBLE BUST OF A BOY. Julio-Claudian Period, 1st century AD. Finely carved marble bust of a noble boy in Neronic style wearing a toga fastened with a large clasp on his left shoulder quite possibly the young Nero. Compare this very similar portrait of Nero as a boy wearing the same cloak and fastener from a Roman gold aureus. 40 x 34 x 17 cm. Losses to right shoulder, slight chip to tip of nose, and some slight calcification patina attesting age. Left side. Back view. Right side.
Provenance: Property of an Italian family by descent. Will be shipped from Italy with official export document from the Italian Ministry of Culture. Export Permit page 1. Export Permit page 2.
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STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL 12889. ROMAN NUDE MARBLE EROS/CUPID. Rome, 2nd-3rd century AD. Wonderfully carved life sized classical sculpture of a nude winged youth standing bent slightly forward at the waist representing Eros/Cupid, the youthful God of erotic love. Carved in the round from fine-grained white Carrara marble with highlights of rich honey patina. Dimensions 72 cm height x 36 cm width. Loses in antiquity, but all parts of the body from neck to knees remaining in excellent original condition with no repair or restoration. Comes on a custom black marble base. An exceptional masterpiece of classical erotic art. Right side. Front left view. Rear view. Detailed description.
Provenance: A private Florentine collection, acquired by the current owner at ACR Auctions, Munich. Accompanied by an Italian export permit.
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12914. ROMAN MARBLE HEAD. Eastern Mediterranean, 1st-3rd century AD. 3.25 inches. The head of a young man with wavy hair and an intent expression. On professional black plastic stand. Another view. Another view. Another view.
Provenance: A private East Coast collection formed during the late 20th century.
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11681. ROMAN MARBLE HEAD OF A BEARDED MAN. 3rd century AD, The marble head of bearded man, perhaps an emperor or philosopher. 23 x 19 x 16 cm. Wear consistent with age and some removable dirt stains and some slight calcified deposits attesting age. Right side. Left side.
Provenance: Property of an Italian family by descent. Shipped from Italy with official export document from the Italian Ministry of Culture. Export Permit page 1. Export Permit page 2.
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ROMAN GLASS
8306. A LARGER ROMAN GLASS BOTTLE, c. 1st-3rd century. Globular base with tall neck and conical interior base. 7.5". Intact, light calcium deposits.
9740. ROMAN GLASS BOTTLE, c. 1st-3rd century. The larger glass vessel with globular base and high cylindrical neck with rolled rim. 6.5 inches. Excellent condition. ![]()
6871. A FINE ROMAN GLASS VIAL, c. 1st-3rd century. With conical body and medium neck with rolled rim. 4.1". Excellent example covered with pale milky iridescence. Scarce.
ROMAN JEWELRY
11660. FINE ROMAN BUCKLE WITH BUSTS OF AN EMPEROR AND EMPRESS. Roman Province of Pannonia, c. 4th century AD. Finely constructed bronze buckles with two Constantinian style busts, likely that of a Constantinian emperor and empress. 1.75 x 1.75 inches. A very rare type of buckle. Covered with an excellent smooth forest green patina. Provenance: From a private Hungarian collection formed in the 1950's. Back view.
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9338. A PAIR OF FINE ROMAN GOLD EARRINGS, c. 2nd-3rd century AD. Of thick twisted gold wires imitating a braided form. 22 mm. Wearable with care. ![]()
8715. A FINE ROMAN TWISTED SILVER BRACELET, c. 1st-3rd century AD. The bracelet with finely symmetric twists tapering to the open ends. 2.4 inches. 36.49 gm. Choice example in excellent condition.
8304. ROMAN SILVER 'FEDE' RING, c. 1st-3rd century AD. With clasped hands symbolizing fidelity, familiar from coins, on the bezel. 18 x 20 mm. Rare. Wearable and a fine gift for a spouse or friend.
8726. A ROMAN FIBULA WITH INSCRIPTION, c. 1st-3rd century. The bow type bronze fibula with inscription LoVII molded in the terminal. 2 inches. Rare.
ROMAN IVORY & BONE CARVING
ROMAN LEGIONARY ITEMS
11130. ROMAN LEGIONARY TILE, c. 1st century BC - 2nd century AD. FNIRE (retrograde) stamp of Legion Exeritus Germanicus Inferior. The entire stamp would read EX GER INF. 1 x 4 x 5 inches.
11133. ROMAN LEGIONARY TILE, c. 1st century BC - 2nd century AD. LEG II AVG stamp of Legion II Augusta, the stamp complete and clear. 1.5 x 7 x 8 inches.
ROMAN FIGURES IN SILVER & BRONZE
8150. IMPRESSIVE ROMAN BRONZE APPLIQUE, c. 1st century BC/AD. Finely styled and detailed facing head with ringlets and tiara. 1.75 x 1.75 inches. Nice example.
8148. FINE ROMAN BRONZE APPLIQUE, c. 1st-3rd century AD. In the form of a facing head with excellent features, details and a fine olive green patina. 3 inches. Choice example better than image.
8719. CHARMING ROMAN BRONZE FINIAL, c. 1st-3rd century AD. In the form of a finely detailed eagle perched on the head of a deer. 1.3". Excellent style and condition. Rare mythological depiction.
ROMAN POTTERY FIGURES
ROMAN BRONZE & POTTERY VESSELS
ROMAN BRONZE AND IRON TOOLS
OTHER ROMAN ANTIQUITIES & ARTIFACTS
8724. A ROMAN LEAD BULLA WITH INSCRIPTION, c. 1st-3rd century. The rectangular seal with vertical cord hole and a three line Latin inscription with most letters clear. 1.2 inches.