ANCIENT ROMAN ART

Unique Relics Of The Grandeur That Was Rome



PAINTING MARBLE GLASS JEWELRY
IVORY LEGIONARY METAL FIGURES CLAY FIGURES
VESSELS BRONZE LAMPS TOOLS OTHER


ROMAN SCULPTURE

ROMAN GLASS

11247. ROMAN GLASS HEXAGONAL BOTTLE, circa 1st century AD. Everted rim, short cylindrical neck widening slightly toward shoulder, tall hexagonal body. Handle rising from shoulder to rim. Bluish-green hue with traces of iridescence. Height: 14.6cm. Intact.

Provenance: Acquired from CNG by current owner.

$2400.



11248. ROMAN RIBBED GLASS BOTTLE, circa 4th century AD. Flaring rim, cylindrical neck, globular body with diagonal ribbing. Bluish-green tint. Height: 17.0cm. Intact.

Provenance: Acquired from CNG by current owner.

$1850.



11250. ROMAN GLASS SPRINKLER FLASK, circa 4th century AD. Everted rim, cylindrical neck widening slightly toward bottom and constricted at junction with globular body with narrow opening and faint diagonal ribbing. Attractive honey amber hue. Height: 9.4cm. Intact.

Provenance: Acquired from CNG by current owner.

$1850.



9716. A ROMAN GLASS BOTTLE, c. 3rd century AD. The high conical neck with nine spirals of thin applied glass thread. 4 inches. Stable hairlines. Light iridescence. Rare type.

Provenance: Ex Bernheimer collection with old tag.

$1250.



9092. A FINE ROMAN GLASS BEAKER, c. 1st-3rd century AD. The body of the straight-walled beaker covered in fine silvery blue iridescence with some ancient soil. 3 x 3.9 inches. A beautiful and rare example.

$850.



ROMAN JEWELRY

8717. LARGE & FINE ROMAN EROTIC AMULET, c. 1st-3rd century AD. The large solid cast bronze amulet with phallus to the right, manus ficus to the left and the male organ 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. Considerably better than image.

$4500.



10207. CHOICE ROMAN VULVA PENDANT, circ. 1st-3rd century AD. Such small pendants were worn by Roman prostitutes to discretely advertise their profession. A choice example with a beautiful glossy green patina and seductively plumpy form. 12 x 22 mm.

$1850.



8709. ROMAN ISIS & SERAPIS RING, c. 1st century BC/AD. The 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 very rare. Considerable remains of gilding on interior. Provenance: And extensive NJ collection, acquired from the estate of a well known Egyptologist in the 1990's from a collection formed by him in the mid-20th century. Brought to the US in 1954 with the family.

$950.



7214. BEAUTIFUL LATE ROMAN EARLY BYZANTINE BRONZE BUCKLE, c. 3rd-5th century AD. Intact and functional with a choice forest green patina. 2 inches.

Provenance: A private NJ collection. Acquired at Dawson's Auction House late 1990's. Ex the Joseph Ternbach collection formed over many decades through the later half of the 20th century.

$250.



8181. AN ORNATE ROMAN GILDED FIBULA, c. 2nd-4th century AD. Double bowed type with considerable gilding remaining. 2.5". Rare.

Provenance: A private NJ collection. Acquired at Dawson's Auction House late 1990's. Ex the Joseph Ternbach collection formed over many decades through the later half of the 20th century.

$450.



8710. BEAUTIFULLY CARVED CARNELIAN INTAGLIO ROMAN RING, c. 1st-3rd century AD. The ring set with a large (12 x 16 mm) and very fine red carnelian deeply carved with the diademed bust of a laureate bearded male, perhaps a provincial king. 25 mm, 16 x 19 mm internal. Choice quality and condition.

Provenance: A private Hungarian collection formed in the 1950's.

$1650.



8712. BEAUTIFULLY CARVED ROMAN SILVER INTAGLIO RING, c. 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.

Provenance: A private Hungarian collection formed in the 1950's.

$1650.



8713. HUGE ROMAN SILVER GLOVE RING, c. 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!).

Provenance: A private Hungarian collection formed in the 1950's.

$2400.



8728. A FINE ROMAN FIBULA, c. 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.

$250.



8729. A ROMAN FIBULA, c. 2nd-3rd century. Spring loaded bronze fibula with circular terminal and 'tail' above catch plate. 1.5". Nice example.

$150.



8730. A ROMAN ANCHOR STYLE FIBULA, c. 2nd-4th century. The spring loaded bronze fibula with anchor shaped terminal next to the spring. 1.9". Pin restored.

$150.



8732. A FINE ROMAN FIBULA, c. 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".

$150.



8733. A FINE ROMAN FIBULA, c. 1st-3rd century. The small bronze fibula with large catch plate, the whole with a superb turquoise patina. 2". Pin restored.

$150.



8734. A ROMAN FIBULA WITH HUGE SPRING, c. 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.

$150.



8735. A FINE LATE ROMAN FIBULA, c. 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.

$250.



8736. A FINE LATE ROMAN FIBULA, c. 3rd-4th century. The large arched bronze fibula with very fine incised ornamentation on the body. 3.8". Superb patina. Original pin.

$250.



8737. A LATE ROMAN FIBULA, c. 3rd-4th century. The spring type bronze fibula with catch plate tail looped back and wrapped around. 2.8". Fine example.

$150.



ROMAN IVORY & BONE CARVING

9083. EROTIC ROMAN BONE VENUS. Egypt, prob. Alexandria c. 2nd-4th century AD. The beautiful maiden standing nude except for a pleated garment which she holds up over her pubic area with her left hand while she cradles her breast with the right, the reverse view shows that the garment has slipped down over her thighs reveling her ample hips. 2.25 inches. A wonderful figure charged with eroticism and in excellent condition except that the suspension loop at top is broken.

$650.



9084. EROTIC ROMAN BONE VENUS. Egypt, prob. Alexandria c. 2nd-4th century AD. The beautiful maiden standing nude except for a pleated garment fastened at her hip by a large brooch which she holds from slipping down over her body or perhaps she is in the process of removing it. 3.2 inches. A wonderful figure charged with eroticism and in excellent condition. Backside view.

$650.



6877. ROMAN EROTIC IVORY AMULET. Syria or Holy land, c. 1st-3rd century. Carved in the form of an arm with closed hand, the other end terminating in a phallus, suspension hole through the center. 31mm. Some ancient green patina attesting its authenticity. Rare and nice. Would make a great pendant!

$250.



ROMAN LEGIONARY ITEMS

12259. ROMAN BUILDING BRICK WITH LEGIONARY STAMP. PL103 Tile, Roman, red. Stamped with letters [T]RANS RHENAN (beyond the Rhine), the stamp of Legions I & X. 19 x 15 cm. Found in Germany. Provenance: The University Collection.

$1250.



ROMAN PAINTING

ROMAN FIGURES IN SILVER & BRONZE

9746. CHOICE ROMAN BRONZE HEAD OF A BLACK NUBIAN, c. 1st-3rd century AD. Finely modeled Negroid head with kinky hair, two tenons at base for attachment. Exceptional and highly sought after type. 1 x 1.25 inches. Excellent detail and patina both sides. A choice small example of a very desirable and rare theme in Roman art. A museum quality little gem!

$4500.



9070. WONDERFUL ROMAN BRONZE FIGURE OF A BARBARIAN REVELER. c. 1st-3rd century AD. The bearded male figure, probably Germanic, raising his drinking horn high in celebration or perhaps in an invocation to the gods, his head thrown back gazing skyward, he wears a fur tunic and boots and has a vine wreath upon his head. 4.25 inches. An extremely rare and important piece. Intact and in choice condition with excellent detail.

$14,500.



9071. BEAUTIFUL ROMAN BRONZE HEAD OF TYCHE, c. 1st-3rd century AD. The head with hair drawn over her diadem into a knot behind, earrings hanging from her ears. 1 inch. Exceptional fine classical style and excellent condition with good detail all around.

$2450.



9072. FINE ROMAN BRONZE BUST OF MERCURY?, c. 1st-3rd century AD. The god with long curly hair and winged head, a goat skin draped across his chest, the arms, which are not often rendered on appliques, are fully defined and extending out from the surface, the left holding the remains of an attribute. 3.7 x 4.6 inches. Repair at neck, otherwise excellent condition and detail. Very rare.

$6500.



9082. ORNATE ROMAN BRONZE HERM, c. 1st-2nd century AD. The bronze figure in the classic form of a herm with the winged bust of Hermes above, male organs in the middle, the hair, pubic hair and vines on the body finely engraved, tenon for attachment at the base. 3.6". Excellent quality and condition. Very rare this nice.

$2450.



8295. A FINE ROMAN BRONZE BUST OF BACCHUS, c. 1st-2nd century. Nicely modeled bronze bust in fine classical style of the wine god wearing vine leaf diadem and pleated tunic. 2.3". Fine glossy red and green patina.

$4500.



8296. A FINE ROMAN BRONZE BUST OF VENUS., c. 1st-2nd century. Nicely modeled bronze bust in fine classical style probably of the goddess Venus 2". Remains of iron attachment tenon on rv.

$1650.



8297. ROMAN BRONZE SILENOS WITH WINESKIN, c. 1st-3rd century AD. His naked corpulent body seated on a rock holding a wineskin in his arms. Head lost but still an interesting free standing piece of excellent Hellenistic style. 1.9".

$850.



8716. BEAUTIFUL ROMAN BRONZE VENUS APHRODITE, c. 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. Solid cast, 5.6 inches. Left hand and right forearm lost. A beautiful quality example.

$12,500.



8718. ARTISTIC ROMAN BRONZE HERM, c. 1st-3rd century AD. Rendered in classical archaizing Greek style after Greek marble originals, the herm with erect male organ and lateral knob arms, original mounting tenon at base. 2.4". A beautiful little piece with excellent detail and very rare this nice.

$3500.



7647. ROMAN BRONZE BUST OF THE YOUNG DYONYSOS, c. 1st-2nd century AD. The god wreathed with grapevine, the leaves and grape bunches falling over his hair and down across his bare chest. The bust in fine classical style in bronze with the pupils of the eyes inlaid with copper. 3 x 3.75 x 1.5 inches. Choice condition. An excellent example.

$4500.



FAUSTULUS THE FOUNDING OF ROME

7643. SUPERB CLASSICAL ROMAN BRONZE FIGURE OF FAUSTULUS, c. 1st-2nd century AD. 3.75 inches. An exceptionally fine and rare representation of Faustulus in bronze, the shepherd who discovered Romulus and Remus with the she-wolf. See for example the depiction of Faustulus on the Mars Altar from Ostia Mars Altar Faustulus, the upper r. figure, for a nearly identical depiction as a bearded shepherd wearing a belted tunic and shepherd's hat and carrying a shepherd's staff. A museum quality piece, significantly better than the image shows, depicting a pivotal figure from Roman mythology.

$10,000.



7644. CHOICE ROMAN BRONZE EROS, c. 1st-2nd century AD. Eros depicted as a nude youth with wings standing in a dramatic pose with right arm raised. 3.6 inches. Exceptional dramatic classical style. The left arm lost.

$6500.



8137. EROTIC ROMAN BRONZE PUTTO, c. 1st-2nd century AD. The young boy wearing only a hair band and a short cloak across his shoulders sits on a large floral bud holding a ball in his right hand and a bunch of fruits in his left. 2.6 inches including the original integral bronze stand. Museum quality, choice classical Roman style and intact condition with excellent patina.

$4500.



8138. SUPERB ROMAN MOLOSSIAN HOUND, c. 1st-2nd century AD. The large breed dog stands alertly atop a large decorative oval wearing a heavy collar. Museum quality with great classical style and fine engraved details. Choice condition but for the missing tip of the r. ear. The large and vicious Molossian hounds were used by the Romans to bring down bulls and wild beasts and to kill prisoners in the arena. 3.25 inches on original integral stand.

$6500.



8133. SUPERB ROMAN HEAD OF ZEUS AMMON, c. 1st-2nd century AD. The sizable, wonderfully detailed head of the bearded god with RamÌ_s horns, at the top a floral bracket from which the remains of a handle protrude. This would have been the handle attachment ornament from a fine bronze vessel. 3.3 inches. A museum quality piece considerably more impressive than the image.

$3500.



8134. EROTIC ROMAN BRONZE PRIAPUS, c. 1st-2nd century AD. Finely detailed small bronze of classical style, depicting the Roman god of male fertility with his large erect phallus lifting the front of his robe and supporting a number of fruits. Choice example with detail both sides. 2.25 inches. Rare this nice.

$8500.



11339. VERY RARE ROMAN ZODIAC WHEEL, Bronze applique, 1st-3rd centuries AD. Round in form with central, slightly raised knob around which the signs of the Zodiac are arranged in twelve registers. Diameter: 5.5 cm., 80.75 g. Green patina. A few nicks and scuffs, otherwise excellent condition. A very interesting and rare piece. Thick and heavy construction with remains of thick iron attachment pin on the reverse.

Price on request.



12656. ROMAN LEAD RELIEF PLAQUE OF JUPITER. PA30. Roman lead relief plaque, Jupiter facing, 13.8 x 12.3 cm. Provenance: The University Collection. Verso.

$750.



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.

$350.



ROMAN POTTERY FIGURES

7219. CHOICE ETRUSCO ROMAN VOTIVE PHALLUS, c. 4th-1st century BC. Fired clay votive in the form of a life sized turgid phallus of a youth. 4.5 inches. A museum quality piece worthy of the finest collection.

$4500.



7333. ROMAN EGYPT STAMP SEAL WITH A PRANCING HORSE, c. 2nd-4th century AD. With remains of handle on rv. 2.5 inches diameter. Rare. Incuse stamp or mold. Photographed with light from below for visibility of the form produced. Provenance: An extensive NJ collection. Previously from the collection of a prominent Egyptologist brought to the US in 1954 with the family.

$650.



RARE ART OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC

9694. ROMAN REPUBLIC TERRA COTTA WARRIOR, c. 4th - 2nd century BC. The large terra cotta figure. 11 inches. Professional repair. Extremely rare.

$7500.



RARE ART OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC

9695. ROMAN REPUBLIC TERRA COTTA WARRIOR, c. 4th - 2nd century BC. The large terra cotta figure. 12.75 inches. Professional repair. Extremely rare.

$7500.



RARE ART OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC

9696. ROMAN REPUBLIC TERRA COTTA WARRIOR, c. 4th - 2nd century BC. The large terra cotta figure. 9 inches. Professional repair. Extremely rare.

$7500.



7320. RARE LATE ROMAN COPTIC TERRA COTTA BUST OF AN ARAB, Roman Egypt, c. 5th-8th century AD. Wearing a turban and with robe held around lower part of face from inside. 2 inches. Very rare depiction.

Provenance: A private NJ collection. Previously from the collection of a prominent Egyptologist brought to the US in 1954 with the family.

$200.



ROMAN BRONZE & POTTERY VESSELS

9080. A FINE ROMAN BRONZE PATERA HANDLE OF POMPEIAN TYPE, c. 1st-3rd century AD. The flutted handle terminating in a finely molded head of a boar with engraved details to eyes and fur. 5.6". Nice patina. Very rare this nice.

$4500.



9081. A FINE ROMAN BRONZE PATERA HANDLE OF POMPEIAN TYPE, c. 1st-3rd century AD. The heavy fluted handle terminating in a finely molded head of a snarling wolf with engraved details to eyes, teeth and fur, engraved floral details also on the attachment. 6.7". Hole in top. Excellent patina. Very rare this nice.

$4500.



9075. EXCEPTIONAL LARGE AND HEAVY ROMAN BRONZE BOWL OF POMPEIAN STYLE, c. 1st-3rd century AD. The thick-walled bowl with flat bottom and sharply turned up rim with decorative incised bands on the rim and center of the base. 3.25 x 11 inches. A museum quality classic Roman bowl example in excellent condition. Very rare, the largest and most impressive example I've carried.

Price on request.



9076. CHOICE CLASSIC ROMAN BRONZE DUCK HEAD LADLE OF POMPEIAN TYPE, c. 1st-2nd century AD. The ladle of elegant classic form with high flat handle rising from the edge and turning to the head of a duck with eyes and demarcation of the bill incised. 2.75 x 11.75 inches. Nearly identical in form one from the Christos G. Bastos Collection, Sotheby's December 9, 1999, lot 107, formerly on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Choice example and condition. Museum quality. Very rare this nice. Better than photo.

Simpulum with Duck Heads Greece ‰_Ò 5th-4th century B.C. Round, shallow ladle with narrow, slightly concave rim and long strap handle, made in one piece. The end of the handle is forked, bent backwards and the endings are decorated with two stylized duck heads. The rim of the ladle is enhanced and softly inwards protruding. Part of a set of symposium utensils. Spectacular Malachite patina. Mounted. info@cb-gallery.com Provenance: Collection Johanna Hille. Cahn auction on 19 November 2014, lot 176. Thence Galerie Antiken-Kabinett GackstÌÛtter, inventory number 03485. Comes with a certificate of Antiken-Kabinett GackstÌÛtter. Dimensions: 35.6 cm long Price: 1 600 Euro

$3500.



9077. CLASSIC ROMAN BRONZE PAN OF POMPEIAN TYPE, c. 1st-2nd century AD. The pan with deep bowl and flat handle terminating in a suspension ring, the base with the classic Roman ribbed base seen in the finest Roman culinary ware in examples found at Pompeii. 2 x 4.4 x 8.5 inches. Choice red, green and brown patina. Extremely rare and normally found only in a few museum collections.

$3500.



9078. ORNATE ROMAN BRONZE STRAINER OF POMPEIAN TYPE, c. 1st-3rd century AD. The vessel with long openwork handle terminating in a duck head, the container pierced with many fine holes in the bottom. 2.6 x 10 inches. The contained repaired with small gaps. Museum quality, extremely rare.

$1850.



7562. LARGE ROMAN BRONZE BOWL, c. 1st-3rd Century AD. Bronze bowls like this were used by the Romans for cooking and serving food. The bowl with flat bottom and vertical slightly flanged rim. Pattern of multiple concentric circles in the center, the rim decorated with raised and incised lines. Diameter: 21.5 cm. (8.5"). Height: 5.4 cm. (2.1"). Metal composition: Beaten from a single piece of bronze or copper with natural green, blue and brown patina. Condition: Very small crack in bottom, else excellent.

$3500.



9086. ROMAN TERRA SIGILLATA SHARD WITH A LEAPING LION. c. 3rd-5th century AD. The red ware fragment roughly one quarter of a bowl with a wonderful leaping lion. 2.75 x 4 inches. Excellent artistic example.

$350.



9719. A VERY FINE ROMAN TERRA SIGILATTA VASE, c. 2nd-3rd century AD. A lovely fine and graceful red glazed vessel on low ring foot with amphora shaped body, slender neck and two fine handles with molded flowers. The shoulders decorated with a molded gazelle and lion, the sides with four panels delineated by floral columns containing two scenes of chariots, a maiden carrying a tray leading a small child and another maiden carrying a basket of fruits and a filleted scepter?, all the molded reliefs done in choice style and in most respects sharp and clear. 3.5 x 5.2 inches. Repaired from large shards with two tiny patches. A superb museum quality gem!

$8500.



ROMAN BRONZE OIL LAMPS

RARE ELEPHANT HEAD LAMP

12819. ROMAN BRONZE OIL LAMP. M 11 Brown No No Y 5 x 11 cm. 100AD. Roman, in the form of an elephant head with protruding ears and the spout as the trunk. Lid missing. Provenance: The University Collection. Verso.

$1800.



12777. ROMAN BRONZE OIL LAMP. M 45 Black No No Y 6.0 x 10.5 cm. Complete and intact. Byzantine or early Medieval European, 1200AD. Provenance: The University Collection. Verso.

$400.



ROMAN BRONZE AND IRON TOOLS

11663. CHOICE ROMAN BRONZE KEY. Roman Province of Pannonia, c. 2nd-3rd century AD. The key of heavy bronze with rectangular cross section handle and 90^ mechanism. Slightly bend at the neck probably as made for better visibility when inserting as there are no signs of damage to the heavy neck. A choice example completely covered with fine glossy orange green patina. 3.4 inches. One of the finest we've carried. Provenance: From an old Hungarian collection formed in the 1960's.

$1250.



FROM A GROUP CARBON DATED TO 120 AD

8308. A ROMAN IRON HOE, c. 2nd century AD. The hoe with flanges for attachment. 5.3". Scarce.

Cf. Another lot from this collection was dated by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to 120 AD with a probable range of 80 AD - 160 AD. This was done using an innovative technique which measures the carbon isotope ratio of the trace carbon in the iron. This carbon comes from the wood used in the production of the iron which must be of essentially the same age as the tool itself. Results published in the journal, Radiocarbon, Summer 2001.

Provenance: A private American collection. Acquired from a US dealer in April, 1999.

$250.



FROM A GROUP CARBON DATED TO 120 AD

8309. HUGE ROMAN IRON ADZE, c. 1st-3rd century AD. The large heavy adze with a typical Roman reinforced socket and hammer on top. 12".

Cf. Another lot from this collection was dated by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to 120 AD with a probable range of 80 AD - 160 AD. This was done using an innovative technique which measures the carbon isotope ratio of the trace carbon in the iron. This carbon comes from the wood used in the production of the iron which must be of essentially the same age as the tool itself. Results published in the journal, Radiocarbon, Summer 2001.

Provenance: A private American collection. Acquired from a US dealer in April, 1999.

$950.



FROM A GROUP CARBON DATED TO 120 AD

8311. VERY RARE ROMAN IRON PRICK SPUR, c. 1st-3rd century. The spur with cruel spike and two knobs for attachment. 2.5 x 3.3". An important Roman technological artifact as their has been much discussion of where and when stirrups and spurs were invented.

A very similar bronze prick spur is on view at the Met. Spurs have been found in Celtic and Greek contexts from the 5th century B.C. onwards. In high antiquity, they were not used in pairs, but rather as a single accessory attached to only one of the feet, usually on the left. The first pairs are recorded in some Greek regions in the late 2nd century B.C. They were used, as they are today, for directing a horse to move forwards. The prick spur was the first type of spur to be invented, and it consists of a goad or prick, more or less pointed, connected to side arms or a heel plate. The earliest spurs were probably simple thorns attached at the back of the heel or ankle, before they began to be made out of metal.

Cf. Another lot from this collection was dated by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to 120 AD with a probable range of 80 AD - 160 AD. This was done using an innovative technique which measures the carbon isotope ratio of the trace carbon in the iron. This carbon comes from the wood used in the production of the iron which must be of essentially the same age as the tool itself. Results published in the journal, Radiocarbon, Summer 2001.

Provenance: A private American collection. Acquired from a US dealer in April, 1999.

$450.



FROM A GROUP CARBON DATED TO 120 AD

8314. IMPORTANT ROMAN IRON SPRING LOADED HOOK, c. 1st-3rd century. Finely worked double hooked implement with double coiled middle that apparently served as a heavy spring, a very ingenious and advanced design that well demonstrates the advanced state of Roman technology. 2.8". Very intriguing and worthy of further study. An important Roman technology item. The only one I've seen.

Cf. Another lot from this collection was dated by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to 120 AD with a probable range of 80 AD - 160 AD. This was done using an innovative technique which measures the carbon isotope ratio of the trace carbon in the iron. This carbon comes from the wood used in the production of the iron which must be of essentially the same age as the tool itself. Results published in the journal, Radiocarbon, Summer 2001.

Provenance: A private American collection. Acquired from a US dealer in April, 1999.

$1800.



OTHER ROMAN ANTIQUITIES & ARTIFACTS