Ancient Roman Bronze Statuette of a Lictor bearing the Fasces (stunning, big and heavy)
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€ 145
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 400 - € 500
 | €145 | |
|---|---|---|
| €135 | |
 | €125 |
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Bronze statuette of a Lictor bearing the fasces, an Ancient Roman piece dating to circa 1–3 AD, in very good plus condition, height 71.7 mm, width 29.6 mm, weight 75.91 g.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
A Stunning Roman Empire Lictor Statue , Ancient Roman Circa 1-3 AD
Top Piece
Very Heavy en Big piece
The Attribute (Fasces)
Over his left shoulder, the figure clearly carries a thick, bundled vertical object. This matches the classic design of a fasces—a bundle of wooden rods tightly bound together, which sometimes included an axe blade.
The Attire
He wears a shorter tunic or draped cloak (sagum or lacerna) gathered at the waist. Roman senators typically wore the long, voluminous toga praetexta draped across the body down to the ankles. In contrast, lictors—the official bodyguards and attendants of Roman magistrates—wore practical tunics or specialized cloaks when performing their active duties.
The Stance and Role
The posture of holding the heavy bundle over the left shoulder while keeping the right arm free is the textbook stance seen in surviving antique bronze appliques and votive figurines depicting imperial lictors.
a lictor was a specialized civil servant who served as a bodyguard, ceremonial attendant, and executive officer to high-ranking Roman magistrates who held imperium (the official authority to command).
Core Responsibilities
Protection and Escort: Lictors marched in single file ahead of the magistrate in public, clearing crowds, maintaining order, and ensuring proper respect was shown to the official.
Carrying the Fasces: Each lictor carried a fasces—a bundle of wooden rods tied around an axe—over his left shoulder. The rods symbolized the magistrate's authority to impose corporal punishment (flogging), while the axe blade (added outside the sacred boundary of Rome) symbolized the power of execution.
Enforcing Law and Orders: They arrested suspects, summoned citizens to court, and carried out sentences like floggings or executions ordered by their magistrate.
Number of Lictors by Rank
Dictator: 24
Consul: 12
Praetor: 6 (2 within Rome)
Curule Aedile: 2
Emperor: 12 (later increased to 24)
Social Class and Status
Lictors were typically drawn from the class of freedmen (liberti) or lower-ranking Roman citizens (plebeians). Although they belonged to a lower social class, the job was a paid, organized civic position (appointitores) that provided stable income, social prestige, and direct proximity to Rome's most powerful political figures.
Height : 71.7 mm
Wide : 29.6 mm
Weight : 75.91 Grams
Material : Bronze
See images for own impression
A Stunning Roman Empire Lictor Statue , Ancient Roman Circa 1-3 AD
Top Piece
Very Heavy en Big piece
The Attribute (Fasces)
Over his left shoulder, the figure clearly carries a thick, bundled vertical object. This matches the classic design of a fasces—a bundle of wooden rods tightly bound together, which sometimes included an axe blade.
The Attire
He wears a shorter tunic or draped cloak (sagum or lacerna) gathered at the waist. Roman senators typically wore the long, voluminous toga praetexta draped across the body down to the ankles. In contrast, lictors—the official bodyguards and attendants of Roman magistrates—wore practical tunics or specialized cloaks when performing their active duties.
The Stance and Role
The posture of holding the heavy bundle over the left shoulder while keeping the right arm free is the textbook stance seen in surviving antique bronze appliques and votive figurines depicting imperial lictors.
a lictor was a specialized civil servant who served as a bodyguard, ceremonial attendant, and executive officer to high-ranking Roman magistrates who held imperium (the official authority to command).
Core Responsibilities
Protection and Escort: Lictors marched in single file ahead of the magistrate in public, clearing crowds, maintaining order, and ensuring proper respect was shown to the official.
Carrying the Fasces: Each lictor carried a fasces—a bundle of wooden rods tied around an axe—over his left shoulder. The rods symbolized the magistrate's authority to impose corporal punishment (flogging), while the axe blade (added outside the sacred boundary of Rome) symbolized the power of execution.
Enforcing Law and Orders: They arrested suspects, summoned citizens to court, and carried out sentences like floggings or executions ordered by their magistrate.
Number of Lictors by Rank
Dictator: 24
Consul: 12
Praetor: 6 (2 within Rome)
Curule Aedile: 2
Emperor: 12 (later increased to 24)
Social Class and Status
Lictors were typically drawn from the class of freedmen (liberti) or lower-ranking Roman citizens (plebeians). Although they belonged to a lower social class, the job was a paid, organized civic position (appointitores) that provided stable income, social prestige, and direct proximity to Rome's most powerful political figures.
Height : 71.7 mm
Wide : 29.6 mm
Weight : 75.91 Grams
Material : Bronze
See images for own impression
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
Circa 1-3 AD
Name of object
Statuette of a Lictor bearing the Fasces (stunning, big and heavy)
Acquired from
Inherited
Year acquired
1985
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Very good +
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1966
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
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.
