ETRUSCAN AND ROMAN ART
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| 8738. A LARGE ITALIC PLATE FIBULA. Iron Age, ca. 9th century BC. This 'serpentine' fibula is an elaboration of the simple Italic violin-bow fibula with a twisting and bending upper bow. One and two piece variations are known with both bent and straight pins. Catches can be either simple holders like a modern safety pin or more complex wire spirals. The most ornate fibulae like this one have engraved discs for catch-plates, knobbed pins and bows with added rings and spirals. Both elements of the fibula, bow and pin were cast, then hammered into shape. A wrapped coil of wire adorns the knobbed pin. The bow was cast as a long rod with concentric discs along the shaft, then twisted. The disc catch-plate is actually an extension of the bow hammered flat and coiled into a closed spiral. It is engraved with cross-hatched triangles and inter-locking crosses. The entire fibula is a tour-de-force of the metalsmith's art and a perfect illustration of the early European preoccupation with geometry. Cf. Randall-MacIver, The Iron Age in Italy, A Study of Those Aspects of the Early Civilizations Which Are Neither Villanovan nor Etruscan (Oxford, 1927) fig. 66B. Johannes Sundwall, Die Alteren Italischen Fibeln (Berlin, 1943) fig. 255. 7 inches. One of a matching pair, the other one of the pair was exhibited in 'Plain Geometry, Armament and Adornment in Pre-Classical Europe' 1997 and published in the exhibition catalog, no. 12 from which the above description has been taken. It was then offered by a New York gallery at $14,000. Repaired near knob. Would benefit from a professional cleaning which would reveal more detail. $6000 estimate. |  |
| 8739. A FINE VILLANOVAN 'LEECH-FORM' FIBULA. Early Iron Age, ca. 8th century BC. This bronze fibula (sanguisuga) hollow cast by the lost-wax method, is an early example of the type with enclosed body decorated with ridges on the front. 2.25 x 2.5 inches. A matching pair of this rare type fibulae with more ornate ridged design was recently offered by a New York Gallery priced at $15,000. Beautiful burnished forest green patina. Intact. $1800 estimate. |  |
| 8740. A VILLANOVAN 'LEECH-FORM' FIBULA. Early Iron Age, ca. 8th century BC. This bronze fibula (sanguisuga) hollow cast by the lost-wax method, is an early example of the type with enclosed body decorated with ridges on the front. 1.75 x 2.4 inches. Pin and catch-plate clasp lost. $750 estimate. |  |
| 8741. A FINE EARLY ETRUSCAN 'BOAT-FORM' FIBULA. Iron Age, ca. 7th century BC. The bow open on the underside and swelling in the center and decorated with longitudinal ribs coming to projecting points at the center. Coil spring and original pin resting along long concave catch-plate. 2.3 x 4.5 inches. Beautiful dark green patina. Rare this nice. $3000 estimate. |  |
| 8742. A FINE EARLY ETRUSCAN 'BOAT-FORM' FIBULA. Iron Age, ca. 7th century BC. The bow open on the underside and swelling in the center and decorated with longitudinal ribs coming to projecting knobs at the center. Coil spring and original pin resting along long concave catch-plate. 1.5 x 3 inches. Intact and rare this nice. $1500 estimate. |  |
| 8705. AN ETRUSCAN RELIEF FRAGMENT, ca. 5th-4th century BC. The terra cotta fragment with the wing and arm of a Victory holding a wreath. 5.5 x 6 inches. Excellent style. $2000 estimate. |  |
| 8706. AN ETRUSCAN RELIEF FRAGMENT, ca. 5th-4th century BC. The terra cotta fragment with a molded palmette and lily stalk. 4.75 x 5 inches. Excellent style. $1750 estimate. |  |
| 8707. A LARGE ROMAN TERRA COTTA BUST, ca. 2nd-4th century. The red ware bust of a lady molded on integral socle. Covered with remains of white slip and light encrustation. 7.3" x 13.7". Intact. $2800 estimate. |  |
| 8708. A ROMAN TERRA COTTA HERM, ca. 1st-3rd century. The figure with typical stub arms and erect male organ. 4.8". Chip to back of head. Rare terra cotta example. $3000 estimate. |  |
| 8709. A VERY FINE ROMAN BRONZE CAMEO RING, ca. 1st century BC/AD. The partial heavy bronze ring with jugate busts of Zeus Serapis and Isis in cameo on the bezel. 22 mm. Bottom quarter of band lost. Of extremely fine quality and excessively rare. Considerable remains of gilding on interior. $3500 estimate. |  |
| 8710. A ROMAN BRONZE INTAGLIO RING, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The ring set with a large (12 x 16 mm) and fine red carnelian deeply carved with the diademed bust of a bearded male, perhaps Zeus. 25 mm, 16 x 19 mm internal. Choice quality and condition. $4500 estimate. |  |
| 8711. A ROMAN SILVER INTAGLIO RING, ca. 3rd–4th century AD. The ring set with a large (12 x 16 mm) and fine red carnelian deeply carved with the diademed bust of a handsome youth with cape over one shoulder. 29 mm, 14 x 21 mm internal. The ring is choice quality and complete and in excellent condition, one half in shadow in image. $4500 estimate. |  |
| 8712. A ROMAN SILVER INTAGLIO RING, ca. 3rd–4th century AD. The ring set with a very large (14 x 18 mm) and fine red carnelian deeply carved with the diademed bust of an emperor with shield and spear, similar to those on coins of the period. 27 mm, 15 x 20 mm internal. The ring is choice quality and complete and in excellent condition, one half in shadow in image. $4500 estimate. |  |
| 8713. A ROMAN SILVER GLOVE RING, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The huge ring designed either for a huge finger or to be worn over a glove, the bezel set with an extremely fine 12mm x 16mm deeply carved carnelian intaglio of the horned head of Zeus Ammon. 35mm, 27mm internal diameter. Choice quality and condition and wearable (if your finger is large enough!). $4500 estimate. |  |
| 8714. A FINE ROMAN AMBER INTAGLIO. Roman Republic, ca. 1st century BC. Reddish yellow amber carved with the head of Minerva or Roma wearing a crested helmet l., with three additional hidden heads emerging from the chest, shield, and top of head. 12 x 14 mm. A marvelous and excessively rare example of ancient gem engraving. In excellent condition. Cf. Munich 2553, Hague 326 for related examples. $5500 estimate. |  |
| 8715. A FINE ROMAN TWISTED SILVER BRACELET, ca. 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. $4500 estimate. |  |
| 8716. A ROMAN BRONZE APHRODITE, ca. 1st-2rd century AD. Superb Classical style solid cast figure of the nude goddess in contaposto stance her head turned to the left, her robes slipping to her thighs, her hair bound with a diadem and drawn up into a bun behind her head. 5.6 inches. Left hand and right forearm lost. A museum quality example of ancient art. Considerably better than image shows. $10,000 estimate. |  |
| 8717. A SUPERB ROMAN EROTIC AMULET, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The large solid cast bronze amulet with phallus to the right, manus ficus to the left and the male organs below, a large suspension ring above. 2.1 x 3.25 inches. Intact and choice condition with fine patina with light cleanable deposits. The best I've carried. Said to have been found in Spain, Roman Hispania. A museum quality example. Considerably better than image shows. $7500 estimate. |  |
| 8718. A FINE ROMAN BRONZE HERM, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The small classical style herm with erect male organ and lateral knob arms, original mounting tenon at base. 2.4". Excellent detail and very rare this nice. $4500 estimate. |  |
| 8719. A FINE ROMAN BRONZE FINIAL, ca. 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. Very rare. $2000 estimate. |  |
| 8720. A FINE BRONZE ATTACHMENT IN THE FORM OF A SPHINX, ca. 1st-3rd century. The solid cast attachment with concave back probably from a bronze vessel, cast in the form of a facing sphinx, her wings at her sides. 2.6 inches. Very rare and excellent condition. $3500 estimate. |  |
| 8721. A ROMAN BRONZE PATERA HANDLE, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The heavy fluted handle terminating in a collar from which emerges a ram's head with curled horns. 5.6". The patera was used to make offerings to the Gods. $1000 estimate. |  |
| 8722. A ROMAN GLASS BEAD WITH SUPERB IRIDESCENCE, ca. 1st-3rd century. The swirled aqua-blue glass covered with subtle but exquisite silvery peacock iridescence. 23mm. $650 estimate. |  |
| 8723. A LARGE CARTHAGINIAN TRANSPORT AMPHORA, ca. 5th-3rd century BC. The amphora with several concentric ridges and two small ring handles at the shoulder. 10 x 24 inches. The bottom roughly reattached, a repaired crack up one side from the break. See 'The Phoenicians', Moscati, pps. 85, 504 for the type. Should be worth considerably more if properly repaired. Rare large artifact from Rome's adversaries in the Punic Wars. $2500 estimate. |  |
| 8724. A ROMAN LEAD BULLA WITH INSCRIPTION, ca. 1st-3rd century. The rectangular seal with vertical cord hole and a three line Latin inscription with most letters clear. 1.2 inches. $2500 estimate. |  |
| 8725. A CHOICE ROMAN FIGURAL BROOCH, ca. 1st-3rd century AD. The bronze brooch with the head of a goddess wearing a necklace with three large pendants and a turretted crown, all centered in a sunburst or floral device. 1.6 inches. Said to have been found in the Holy Land. Extemely rare, and with excellent condition and style. $2500 estimate. |  |
| 8726. A ROMAN FIBULA WITH INSCRIPTION, ca. 1st-3rd century. The bow type bronze fibula with inscription LOVII molded in the terminal. 2 inches. Rare. $2000 estimate. |  |
| 8727. A CHOICE ROMAN FIBULA, ca. 1st-3rd century. The heavier spring loaded fibula with ornate spring retainer arching to a wide flat tail with molded and incised designs. 2.3 inches. A number of areas of gilding showing through depressions in the fine glossy patina. Original pin and spring, the whole a superb example in choice condition. $1250 estimate. |  |
| 8728. A FINE ROMAN FIBULA, ca. 2nd-3rd century. The spring loaded fibula with finely incised triangular point above the wide spring retainer. 1.4 inches. Fine glossy black patina. Rare. $950 estimate. |  |
| 8729. A ROMAN FIBULA, ca. 2nd-3rd century. Spring loaded bronze fibula with circular terminal and 'tail' above catch plate. 1.5". Nice example. $400 estimate. |  |
| 8730. A ROMAN ANCHOR STYLE FIBULA, ca. 2nd-4th century. The spring loaded bronze fibula with anchor shaped terminal next to the spring. 1.9". Pin restored. $250 estimate. |  |
| 8731. A HEAVY ROMAN CROSSBOW FIBULA, ca. 2nd-4th century. The large bronze fibula with heavily knobbed cross, the flat tail ornamented with incised annulettes. 3.3 inches. Rare this large. $250 estimate. |  |
| 8732. A FINE ROMAN FIBULA, ca. 2nd-4th century. The bronze fibula with arched flat body and original pin, the whole covered with a fine gem-like forest green patina. 2.7". $350 estimate. |  |
| 8733. A FINE ROMAN FIBULA, ca. 1st-3rd century. The small bronze fibula with large catch plate, the whole with a superb turquoise patina. 2". Pin restored. $350 estimate. |  |
| 8734. A ROMAN FIBULA WITH HUGE SPRING, ca. 2nd-4th century. The fibula with knobbed tail and incised body retaining an exceptionally wide spring. 2.6 x 3.4 inches. Pin and one side of spring professionally restored. Very rare. $350 estimate. |  |
| 8735. A FINE LATE ROMAN FIBULA, ca. 1st-3rd century. The bronze fibula with flat arched body with eight lateral projections on the terminals, with original pin and original wire loops both ends. 4.4 inches. Rare. $500 estimate. |  |
| 8736. A FINE LATE ROMAN FIBULA, ca. 3rd-4th century. The large arched bronze fibula with very fine incised ornamentation on the body. 3.8". Superb patina. Original pin. $650 estimate. |  |
| 8737. A LATE ROMAN FIBULA, ca. 3rd-4th century. The spring type bronze fibula with catch plate tail looped back and wrapped around. 2.8". Fine example. $350 estimate. |  |
| 8856. 7 ROMAN SLING BULLETS. Holy Land, ca. 1st-3rd century. Most with molded thunderbolts visible. To 1.3". Generally nice condition. $350 estimate. |  |
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