Roman Bronze Ram Statuette

£ 385.00

A finely crafted Roman bronze ram statuette. The animal is presented standing on all four legs with its head tilted upwards. The positioning of the legs suggests movement, making the figure appear more dynamic. The anatomical features have been naturalistically rendered including the eyes, long mouth, curved horns. Indentations across the body have been used to mimic the sheep’s wool. This statuette has been mounted on a custom-made stand.

Date: Circa 1st-4th century AD
Provenance: ‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.
Condition: Very good condition. Very clear detailing. Small damage to the end of the nose.

SOLD

Product Code: RES-226
Category: Tags: ,

The ram was one of the most popular sacrificial animals in the Roman world, and were also sacrificed as part of the suovetaurilia; one of the most sacred rites in Roman pagan antiquity. Ram’s would have been part of public ceremonies for events such as blessing the military before battle. Additionally, rams were often associated with fertility and new life, so it is therefore possible that this bronze figurine could have been a votive offering of some kind.

 

Weight 57.8 g
Dimensions L 4 x W 3 x H 5.3 cm
Metal

Bronze

Region

Southern Europe

Reference: For a similar item,Christie’s A Peaceable Kingdom: the Leo Mildenberg Collection sale, 27 Oct 2004, Lot 231

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