Ancient Roman Bronze Ancient Roman Patera Handle with Wolf (Lupa of Romolus and Remus)
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
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Estimate € 700 - € 800
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Ancient Roman bronze patera handle with a wolf head finial (Lupa of Romulus and Remus), dating to the 1st–3rd Century AD, in excellent condition, weighing 233.9 g and measuring 108.2 mm by 26.3 mm.
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Description from the seller
Roman Ancient Bronze Patera Handle of a Wolf (Lupa of Romolus and Remus)
1st - 3rd Century AD
233.9g. and 108.2mm x 26.3mm
From a Private European Collection
A highly attractive, extremely fine and well preserved Ancient Roman cast bronze handle, once belonged to a patera. The handle is modelled in the shape of a column’s shaft, with marked flutes, and ending in a wolf’s head finial. The animal’s facial features have been finely and naturalistically moulded, with engraved details to the fur.
Extremely rare, especially that nice and not many in private hands. A popular collector's piece.
Reference of past sales of similar types:
- Auction house Christies, 10th December 2004, hammer price: USD 2'270.00 (estimated value USD 2'000.00- USD 3'000.00) less attractive and in worse quality.
The story of Romulus and Remus begins with their birth as twin brothers. Her father is said to have been the war god Mars and her mother Rhea Silvia, a Vestal. Because of an oracle that prophesied that the two boys would conquer their city and seize power, the reigning king Amulius wanted to have the two killed.
However, the king's servant took pity on the boys and abandoned them in a basket on the River Tiber. Romulus and Remus were found by a she-wolf who nursed and raised them in her cave. They were later found and adopted by a shepherd and his wife.
As the two grew up, they learned of their true origins and decided to overthrow Amulius and restore the rightful king, their grandfather Numitor.
After successfully carrying out their revenge, Romulus and Remus wanted to found their own city. However, they argued over the location of the new city and eventually Romulus killed his brother Remus in anger. Romulus then founded his city, which he called Rome.
Across the Roman Empire, paterae would have used for serving food or drink at dinner parties or for pouring libations at religious ceremonies. Such vessels, usually cast in bronze and finely decorated and ornate, featured a broad and shallow dish or bowl and fluted handles modelled in the shape of ram’s and wolf’s heads. It is most usual for these paterae to have ram’s head terminals to the handles, while dog’s or wolf’s head terminals are much rarer. Wolf’s heads were common decorative motives used on bronze vessels, mounts and appliques, strictly liked to the he ancient legend of the founding of Rome and worshipped as sacred animals to Mars.
I prove that the lot was obtained legally , provenance statement seen by Catawiki
Important information. I guarantee that I am entitled to ship this lot.
I will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
I will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Roman Ancient Bronze Patera Handle of a Wolf (Lupa of Romolus and Remus)
1st - 3rd Century AD
233.9g. and 108.2mm x 26.3mm
From a Private European Collection
A highly attractive, extremely fine and well preserved Ancient Roman cast bronze handle, once belonged to a patera. The handle is modelled in the shape of a column’s shaft, with marked flutes, and ending in a wolf’s head finial. The animal’s facial features have been finely and naturalistically moulded, with engraved details to the fur.
Extremely rare, especially that nice and not many in private hands. A popular collector's piece.
Reference of past sales of similar types:
- Auction house Christies, 10th December 2004, hammer price: USD 2'270.00 (estimated value USD 2'000.00- USD 3'000.00) less attractive and in worse quality.
The story of Romulus and Remus begins with their birth as twin brothers. Her father is said to have been the war god Mars and her mother Rhea Silvia, a Vestal. Because of an oracle that prophesied that the two boys would conquer their city and seize power, the reigning king Amulius wanted to have the two killed.
However, the king's servant took pity on the boys and abandoned them in a basket on the River Tiber. Romulus and Remus were found by a she-wolf who nursed and raised them in her cave. They were later found and adopted by a shepherd and his wife.
As the two grew up, they learned of their true origins and decided to overthrow Amulius and restore the rightful king, their grandfather Numitor.
After successfully carrying out their revenge, Romulus and Remus wanted to found their own city. However, they argued over the location of the new city and eventually Romulus killed his brother Remus in anger. Romulus then founded his city, which he called Rome.
Across the Roman Empire, paterae would have used for serving food or drink at dinner parties or for pouring libations at religious ceremonies. Such vessels, usually cast in bronze and finely decorated and ornate, featured a broad and shallow dish or bowl and fluted handles modelled in the shape of ram’s and wolf’s heads. It is most usual for these paterae to have ram’s head terminals to the handles, while dog’s or wolf’s head terminals are much rarer. Wolf’s heads were common decorative motives used on bronze vessels, mounts and appliques, strictly liked to the he ancient legend of the founding of Rome and worshipped as sacred animals to Mars.
I prove that the lot was obtained legally , provenance statement seen by Catawiki
Important information. I guarantee that I am entitled to ship this lot.
I will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged.
I will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
1st - 3rd Century AD
Name of object
Ancient Roman Patera Handle with Wolf (Lupa of Romolus and Remus)
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2023
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Excellent
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
