130 - A ROMAN BRONZE PATERA WITH A RAM-HEADED HANDLE, CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY AD

A ROMAN BRONZE PATERA WITH A RAM-HEADED HANDLE, CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY AD Skillfully cast, the circular vessel with shallow, rounded sides rising from a short foot to a gently tapering rim, fitted with a straight, ribbed handle extending from a pelta-shaped attachment plate to a finely modeled ram head, marked by delicately incised eyes, a pointed muzzle, and tightly curled horns. The recessed base decorated with concentric circular motifs. Provenance: A private collection in Bavaria, Germany, acquired before 2000. Gorny & Mosch, Munich, 26 June 2018, lot 239. A private collection in the United Kingdom, acquired from the above. Condition: Good condition with expected wear, casting irregularities, traces of use, areas of corrosion, the handle reattached, light warping, small dents. The bronze with a rich, naturally grown patina, with vibrant malachite and azurite encrustations. Weight: 478.6 g Dimensions: Diameter 15.5 cm (excl. handle), Length 26.8 cm This finely worked and ornate vessel was used for serving food or drink at dinner parties or for pouring libations at religious ceremonies. Such high-quality bronze paterae often have a wolf or ram head finial to the handle. Literature comparison: Compare a related earlier Greek bronze patera, dated late 4th–early 3rd century BC, 23 cm long, in the Museum of Cycladic Art, Athens, object number ΝΓ0737. Compare a related Roman bronze patera, dated to the early 1st century AD, 37.5 cm long, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, object number 1989.281.87. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Christie’s New York, 8 June 2005, lot 151 Price: USD 7,200 or approx. EUR 11,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Roman bronze patera, circa 1st century AD Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and manner of casting with similar ram-headed handle. Note the larger size (42.9 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Sotheby’s London, 3 December 2024, lot 450 Mid-Estimate: GBP 85,000 or approx. EUR 105,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A fine Roman bronze patera, Augustan, early 1st century AD Expert remark: Compare the closely related form with similar ram-headed handle. Note the medallion on the interior and the larger size (40.3 cm).