Ancient Roman, Empire Bronze Mace from a large Heracles statue with a lion's head. Ex-Gorny& Mosch - 79 mm
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€ 1
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 400 - € 500
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Bronze Roman artefact in the form of a club with a lion-headed end, dated to the Roman Imperial period (1st–3rd c. CE) and measuring 79 × 13 × 14 mm, possibly part of a larger Heracles statue or a tool handle, with a dark green patina and in excellent condition; ex-Gorny & Mosch, acquired 2026 from a German auction house with provenance from a private collection.
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Description from the seller
Roman bronze object in the form of a club with an animal head
Roman bronze object in the form of a club, Roman Imperial period, 1st–3rd century AD, possibly part of a larger Heracles statuette or handle of a device.
The elongated, slightly irregular shaft is characterized as a club by plastically protruding, knot-like thickenings. Such clubs are among the most important attributes of Heracles (Roman Hercules) and regularly appear in small-format bronze statuettes of the god.
Particularly noteworthy is the plastically worked upper end. It shows a stylized animal head with large circularly indicated eyes, an open mouth, and lateral openings. A strong, profiled swelling separates the head from the shaft.
The bronze possesses an attractive, naturally grown dark green to greenish patina.
Culture: Roman
Dating: Roman Imperial period, 1st–3rd century AD
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 79 × 13 × 14 mm
Condition:
At the bottom end, anciently broken; otherwise preserved and intact.
Provenance:
Acquired in 2026 at the German art market; prior to 2000 in private collection H. L., Rhineland
The invoice is available and will be provided to the buyer in copy.
Roman bronze object in the form of a club with an animal head
Roman bronze object in the form of a club, Roman Imperial period, 1st–3rd century AD, possibly part of a larger Heracles statuette or handle of a device.
The elongated, slightly irregular shaft is characterized as a club by plastically protruding, knot-like thickenings. Such clubs are among the most important attributes of Heracles (Roman Hercules) and regularly appear in small-format bronze statuettes of the god.
Particularly noteworthy is the plastically worked upper end. It shows a stylized animal head with large circularly indicated eyes, an open mouth, and lateral openings. A strong, profiled swelling separates the head from the shaft.
The bronze possesses an attractive, naturally grown dark green to greenish patina.
Culture: Roman
Dating: Roman Imperial period, 1st–3rd century AD
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 79 × 13 × 14 mm
Condition:
At the bottom end, anciently broken; otherwise preserved and intact.
Provenance:
Acquired in 2026 at the German art market; prior to 2000 in private collection H. L., Rhineland
The invoice is available and will be provided to the buyer in copy.
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman, Empire
Century/timeframe
1. - 3. Jh. n. Chr.
Name of object
Mace from a large Heracles statue with a lion's head. Ex-Gorny& Mosch
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2026
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Excellent
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
79 mm
Previous owner - year acquired
1999
Width
13 mm
Previous owner - country acquired from
Germany
Depth
14 mm
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
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.
