Ancient Roman, Empire Bronze Large Roman Bronze Applique with Confronted Dolphins
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Ancient Roman bronze applique from the Empire, dating to the 1st–3rd century AD, the Large Roman Bronze Applique with Confronted Dolphins, 148 mm by 45 mm and 107.6 g, with original attachment traces on the reverse and provenance from a private European collection, acquired in 2025 from Germany.
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Description from the seller
Roman Bronze Applique with Confronted Dolphins
Roman Imperial Period, circa 1st–3rd century AD
107.6 g – 148 × 45 mm
From a Private European Collection.
A highly attractive and unusual Roman bronze applique, finely cast in the form of two confronted dolphins, their curved bodies arranged symmetrically around a richly decorated central element.
The surface is embellished with extensive incised decoration: scales and curved lines emphasize the bodies of the dolphins, while the central section is ornamented with carefully engraved geometric bands. The two animals terminate in strongly stylised heads, creating an impressive and almost heraldic composition. The reverse preserves clear traces of its original attachment, indicating that the piece once formed the decorative element of a larger object.
The dolphin was one of the most evocative creatures of the Roman world:
To a Roman viewer, the dolphin was far more than an inhabitant of the Mediterranean. It belonged to the realm of the sea and was closely associated with the great maritime divinities. Dolphins also accompanied Venus, whose mythical birth from the sea made the animal an appropriate attribute of the goddess. Roman representations of Venus with a dolphin are well documented.
For inhabitants of an empire whose roads extended across continents but whose commerce and communication depended heavily upon the Mediterranean, the dolphin could evoke the sea itself – travel, prosperity and the connection between distant shores of the Roman world.
One can imagine this elaborate bronze fitting decorating a valued object in a Roman household: catching the light from oil lamps, its symmetrical dolphins immediately recognizable to an ancient observer. Its exact original function is now lost, but Roman bronze objects incorporating paired dolphins are known, including vessel fittings, handles and decorative elements. A Roman bronze casket handle in the British Museum, dated to the 1st–2nd century AD, was likewise originally formed by two dolphins.
The remarkable size of 14.8 cm, the strongly sculptural form and the extensive engraved decoration make this considerably more imposing than the small dolphin ornaments frequently encountered in Roman decorative art.
A fascinating and highly decorative survival from Roman antiquity, combining accomplished bronze work with one of the most characteristic maritime motifs of the ancient Mediterranean world.
Very Rare and particularly attractive in this large and elaborate form.
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 Bronze Applique with Confronted Dolphins
Roman Imperial Period, circa 1st–3rd century AD
107.6 g – 148 × 45 mm
From a Private European Collection.
A highly attractive and unusual Roman bronze applique, finely cast in the form of two confronted dolphins, their curved bodies arranged symmetrically around a richly decorated central element.
The surface is embellished with extensive incised decoration: scales and curved lines emphasize the bodies of the dolphins, while the central section is ornamented with carefully engraved geometric bands. The two animals terminate in strongly stylised heads, creating an impressive and almost heraldic composition. The reverse preserves clear traces of its original attachment, indicating that the piece once formed the decorative element of a larger object.
The dolphin was one of the most evocative creatures of the Roman world:
To a Roman viewer, the dolphin was far more than an inhabitant of the Mediterranean. It belonged to the realm of the sea and was closely associated with the great maritime divinities. Dolphins also accompanied Venus, whose mythical birth from the sea made the animal an appropriate attribute of the goddess. Roman representations of Venus with a dolphin are well documented.
For inhabitants of an empire whose roads extended across continents but whose commerce and communication depended heavily upon the Mediterranean, the dolphin could evoke the sea itself – travel, prosperity and the connection between distant shores of the Roman world.
One can imagine this elaborate bronze fitting decorating a valued object in a Roman household: catching the light from oil lamps, its symmetrical dolphins immediately recognizable to an ancient observer. Its exact original function is now lost, but Roman bronze objects incorporating paired dolphins are known, including vessel fittings, handles and decorative elements. A Roman bronze casket handle in the British Museum, dated to the 1st–2nd century AD, was likewise originally formed by two dolphins.
The remarkable size of 14.8 cm, the strongly sculptural form and the extensive engraved decoration make this considerably more imposing than the small dolphin ornaments frequently encountered in Roman decorative art.
A fascinating and highly decorative survival from Roman antiquity, combining accomplished bronze work with one of the most characteristic maritime motifs of the ancient Mediterranean world.
Very Rare and particularly attractive in this large and elaborate form.
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, Empire
Century/timeframe
1st–3rd Century AD
Name of object
Large Roman Bronze Applique with Confronted Dolphins
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Excellent
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1980
Previous owner - country acquired from
Germany
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.
