CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.-6TH CENTURY A.D.

Details

A GROUP OF EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN BRONZE RINGS WITH BULL HEADS
CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.-6TH CENTURY A.D.
Each comprising three conjoined rings with a facing bull's head, details incised, one with cross motif and remains of a Greek inscription reading "Lord, protect the bearer, help the bearer!", another with cross motif within central ring, 5½ in. (14 cm.) high max.; a bronze cross with concentric ring decoration and central bull's head in relief, attachment loop above, 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm.) high; a bronze harness attachment, a phallic herm between the three rings, 3¾ in. (9.5 cm.) high; a bronze attachment with Chi-Rho within large ring, surmounted by a cross, 6½ in. (16.5 cm.) high; a small bronze swivel vessel lid with bull's head, 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) high; and a large bronze bull's head protome with lead infill, 4 3/8 in. (11.2 cm.) high (12)

Provenance

C. Bernoulli collection, Switzerland, acquired 1960s.

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

PUBLISHED:
C. Bernoulli, 'Stierprotomen und ihre Rätsel', Intuition und Kunstwissenschaft: Festschrift Hanns Swarzenski, Berlin, 1973, pp. 45-52.

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