Ancient Roman, Empire Bone Hairpin with Finely Carved Dog Finial - 16 cm

A finely worked Roman bone hairpin with an elaborate zoomorphic finial in the form of a standing dog, dating to the Roman Imperial period, circa 2nd century AD.

The long and slender pin tapers gradually towards a fine point. The upper part of the shaft is articulated by several moulded horizontal rings and continues into a rectangular decorative section.

This section is ornamented on its sides with an incised diamond-shaped or cross-hatched pattern, creating a distinct transition between the functional shaft and the sculptural finial.

The upper end is crowned by a fully three-dimensional standing dog, carved in the round and positioned on a small profiled platform.

The animal has a compact, powerful body supported by four individually defined legs. The head is characterised by upright ears and a projecting muzzle, while numerous fine incisions and notches indicate details of the coat and anatomical structure.

Particularly attractive is the openwork carving between the body and legs, which gives the miniature animal a remarkable degree of depth and sculptural presence despite its small scale.

The combination of the geometric decoration, carefully profiled transition and fully sculpted animal finial makes this a particularly decorative example of Roman personal adornment.

Function and Cultural Context

Bone hairpins were widely used throughout the Roman world and formed an important part of personal grooming and dress accessories.

They were particularly associated with the arrangement and fastening of elaborate hairstyles, although ornamental pins could also serve more generally as personal accessories.

Roman examples range from simple functional pins to considerably more elaborate pieces decorated with architectural, anthropomorphic or zoomorphic finials.

The present example belongs to the latter category, combining a practical object with a carefully executed miniature animal sculpture.

Dogs were frequently represented in Roman art and everyday material culture. They could appear as companions, hunting animals, guardians or decorative motifs. Without a documented archaeological find context, however, a specific symbolic interpretation of the dog on the present hairpin cannot be established with certainty.

Condition

Very good condition considering its age.

The hairpin is substantially complete, including the long tapering point and the sculptural animal finial.

The surface displays age-related wear, minor chips and irregularities, fine scratches, natural discolouration and deposits.

The carved and incised details of the dog remain clearly visible, as does the geometric decoration on the upper section of the shaft.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the condition description.

Display

The hairpin is currently mounted on a modern presentation stand.

The modern display stand visible in the photographs is used solely for presentation and is not included in the sale.

Provenance

Formerly in the Madeleine & Erich Dammann Collection, Germany.

Acquired during the collectors’ extensive travels between 1950 and 1970. The collection is documented in Germany by 1970 through historical photographs of the family residence and subsequently remained in continuous family ownership.

The objects were acquired privately during the collectors’ travels. As was customary for private purchases made at local markets during the 1950s and 1960s, purchase receipts or invoices were generally neither issued nor requested.

Historical photographs and biographical documentation relating to the Dammann Collection are available and support the long-standing provenance of the collection.