Ancient Sculpture and Works of Art
Ancient Sculpture and Works of Art
Property from the Collection of Alan E. and Marianne Schwartz
Lot Closed
July 5, 02:08 PM GMT
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
A Roman Gold Pin
circa 1st/3rd century A.D.
terminating in an extended right hand emerging from a calyx and holding a pomegranate, between the thumb, index finger and middle finger.
Length 10.8 cm.
A.E. Martin, London
Alan and Marianne Schwartz, Michigan, acquired from the above on October 3rd, 1967
then by descent to the present owner
It is possible that this pin was related to a votive offering for the cult of Jupiter Dolichenus, a mystery cult of eastern origin that peaked in popularity during the Severan dynasty. Bronze votive hands displaying a similar gesture to the terminal of this pin, with dedicatory inscriptions to the Jupiter Dolichenus, are discussed in depth by Dávid Bartus, “Roman Hairpins Representing Human Hands,” (see https://www.academia.edu/3399281/Roman_hairpins_representing_human_hands_Typology_and_symbolism). For a closely related pin, in silver-gilt rather than gold, see Antiquities from the Collection of Christos G. Bastis, catalogue of the exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1987, no. 188.
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