Roman Bronze Trefoil Oinochoe w/ Lion & Minerva

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Fine Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic Art

By Artemis Gallery

Oct 31, 2019

Set Reminder 2019-10-31 10:00:00 2019-10-31 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-art-4581
Our Halloween Day auction features classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe, plus fine art. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Roman, early Imperial Period, ca. 1st century CE. A beautiful cast-bronze oinochoe (pouring vessel) with a protruding circular foot, a spherical body with lightly impressed rings surrounding the shoulder, a tapered neck, a large rim with a trefoil-style spout, and an ornate handle arching between rim and midsection. The handle features a segmented circular medallion on the laterally projecting arms, a stylized lion head with a thick snout and a shaggy mane on the front, a bifurcated trail coursing towards the lower terminal, and the delicate visage of Minerva on the bottom. Beautiful mottled patina in hues of green, brown, and orange have formed across the composition and imbue it with a handsome presentation evocative of ancient Rome! Size: 4.875" W x 6.6" H (12.4 cm x 16.8 cm).
  
  In the classical world, lions symbolized power, wealth, and might. They were famously featured in many ancient myths, perhaps the most famous being that of Hercules (Greek Herakles) slaying the Nemean lion for his first labor. The lion's fur was believed to be impenetrable to attacks since according to legend it was made of gold and its claws were far sharper than swords with the power to slice through armor. In the end, Hercules defeated the lion by strangling it and wore its skin.
  
  Lions were also favorite iconography for buildings, coins, and statues. Examples include the Lion Gate to the Citadel of Mycenae, the Terrace of the Lions on the island of Delos, and the lion hunt mosaic from Pella featuring Alexander engaged in a lion hunt. Of course lions were also used in the Roman arenas where they would fight other animals, such as tigers and bears.
  
  Regarded as the daughter of Jupiter, from whose head she purportedly was born, Minerva was initially worshipped in Rome as one of the Capitoline Triad along with Jupiter and Juno. At first, she was revered as the goddess of handicrafts, poetry, and the arts in general. Over time, Minerva's stature grew within the Roman pantheon and she became the most important focus of the Quinquatrus festival, which previously had been the domain of Mars, whose amorous affections she famously refused. The five-day festival began on March 19th marking the beginning of the Roman army's campaign season. Minerva also became associated with the concept of victory, as illustrated by Pompey's dedication of a temple to her following his successful campaigns in the east. Similarly, Emperor Domitian claimed the goddess as his protectress and in the second half of the 1st century CE commissioned a temple to her in the Nerva Forum in Rome.
  
  A strikingly similar example, of a slightly larger size, hammered for $6,462 at Christie's, New York "Antiquities" auction (sale 9540, December 7, 2000, lot 583).
  
  Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Artemis Gallery, 2014; ex-private Sarkisian collection, Denver, Colorado, USA, acquired between 1950 and 1965
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
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  #149702

  Condition

  Repairs to several areas of body, with light restoration, resurfacing, and overpainting along new material and break lines. Handle likely reattached to body and rim, but difficult to discern when. Abrasions and minor indentations to foot, body, and spout, with softening to some finer details on handle, and light encrustations. Light earthen deposits and wonderful patina throughout.
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