Roman Pair of Leaded Bronze Lion Head Handles

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DAY 1 | Classical Antiquities & Asian Art

By Artemis Gallery

Dec 5, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-12-05 10:00:00 2018-12-05 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : DAY 1 | Classical Antiquities & Asian Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/day-1-classical-antiquities-asian-art-3698
Day 1 of an important 2-day auction featuring ancient and ethnographic art from around the world. Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Viking, Near Eastern plus Asian Art from China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, India, more. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A gorgeous matched pair of leaded bronze door handles cast in high relief. Each handle mount depicts the head of a fierce lion with bare fangs, a wide snout, almond-shaped eyes with delineated pupils, and a hanging tongue, all surrounded by a radiating mane. A substantial ring handle is suspended from each lion's mouth, and three oxidized iron rivets are visible along the exterior rim. Both handles are enveloped with thick layers of green and russet patina. Custom museum-quality display stands included. Size of each including ring (both are relatively similar): Size: 4.75" W x 6.375" H (12.1 cm x 16.2 cm); 9.375" H (23.8 cm) on included custom stand.
  
  In the classical world, lions symbolized power, wealth, and might. They were famously featured in many ancient myths, perhaps most famous being that of Hercules (Herakles) slaying the Nemean Lion for his first labor. The fur of the Nemean Lion was believed to be impenetrable to attacks since, according to legend, it was made of gold and its claws were far sharper than any man-made blade and possessed the power to cleanly slice through even the toughest of armor. In the end, however, Hercules defeated the lion by strangling it to death and claimed its pelt as a trophy of the monumental achievement.
  
  Lions were also the preferred iconography for buildings, coins, and statues throughout the ancient world. Notable 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 the Great engaged in a lion hunt. Of course, depictions of lions were also employed by Roman arenas where they would battle other animals, such as tigers and bears.
  
  A stylistically-similar set of bronze lion-headed handles hammered for GBP 7,200 ($9,396) at Bonhams, London, New Bond Street "Antiquities Including Property from the Collection of Sir Daniel Donohue" Auction (April 13, 2011, lot 81): https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/18817/lot/81/
  
  Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s
  
  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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  #141145

  Condition

  Both items have surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age and use, minor nicks to handles, peripheries, relief details, and versos, light fading to some finer details, chips to teeth, light encrustations, oxidation to rivets, and slight bending to overall form of mounts and handles. Nice earthen deposits as well as great green and russet patina throughout. Crack from rim to one lion ear on one of the handles. Small casting flaw beneath its nose.
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