Ancient Roman Rare Panther Knife Handle with Silver Eye Inlays
17
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01
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21
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€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 450 - € 550
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Ancient Roman bronze folding knife handle in the shape of a leaping panther, with silver eye inlays, dating to the 2nd–3rd century AD, in very fine condition with olive‑green patina, length about 64.2 mm, acquired in 2025 from a dealer at a fair in Belgium, authenticity original/official.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Very rare Roman bronze folding knife handle in the shape of a leaping panther. Its elongated body is stretched in full stride with forelegs extended and hindquarters raised. The head is boldly rendered with inlaid silver eyes, open jaws, rounded ears and finely incised details indicating fur and facial features.
Under the forepaws are twin slots where the blade was secured, below the rear legs are remains of iron deposits from the knife.
Length: ± 64,2 mm
Condition: very fine condition with dark and shiny olive-green patina with spots of cuprite. Signs of wear consistent with age and use. Very appealing piece with silver inlaid eyes.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request.
-> In the Roman era the panther was above all the sacred animal of Dionysus (Bacchus), symbolising wild vitality, transformation, and the intoxicating joy of life. Its exotic origin made it a prestigious creature associated with luxury and imperial display, often appearing in triumphal processions and arena spectacles.
Admired for its beauty, speed, and lethal grace, the panther also carried connotations of seduction. Through its Dionysian link it further gained a subtle connection with rebirth and protection, making it a potent and multi-layered symbol in Roman art and belief.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Very rare Roman bronze folding knife handle in the shape of a leaping panther. Its elongated body is stretched in full stride with forelegs extended and hindquarters raised. The head is boldly rendered with inlaid silver eyes, open jaws, rounded ears and finely incised details indicating fur and facial features.
Under the forepaws are twin slots where the blade was secured, below the rear legs are remains of iron deposits from the knife.
Length: ± 64,2 mm
Condition: very fine condition with dark and shiny olive-green patina with spots of cuprite. Signs of wear consistent with age and use. Very appealing piece with silver inlaid eyes.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request.
-> In the Roman era the panther was above all the sacred animal of Dionysus (Bacchus), symbolising wild vitality, transformation, and the intoxicating joy of life. Its exotic origin made it a prestigious creature associated with luxury and imperial display, often appearing in triumphal processions and arena spectacles.
Admired for its beauty, speed, and lethal grace, the panther also carried connotations of seduction. Through its Dionysian link it further gained a subtle connection with rebirth and protection, making it a potent and multi-layered symbol in Roman art and belief.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
2nd-3rd century AD
Name of object
Rare Panther Knife Handle with Silver Eye Inlays
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2025
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2025
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
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.
