Ancient Roman Bronze Repoussé Votive Silvanus Applique - in Presentation Box
15
days
03
hours
19
minutes
18
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 230 - € 280
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This Ancient Roman bronze repoussé votive appliqué, dating to the 2nd–3rd century AD, depicts a bearded deity probably identified as Silvanus and is supplied in a presentation box.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Important information: This archaeological object is offered for sale and delivery within the European Union only.
Ancient Roman votive appliqué made from thin bronze sheet and worked in repoussé to depict a standing bearded deity, most probably Silvanus. The god is shown frontally, with a full textured beard and abundant wavy hair or a vegetal wreath. He wears a long garment and mantle rendered with prominent diagonal folds across the body.
A branch extends down beside his left arm, while the right hand and its original attribute are no longer preserved. This hand probably held the curved pruning or viticultural knife traditionally associated with Silvanus. The combination of beard, rustic appearance, branch and agricultural attribute supports the identification.
The reverse displays the concave negative impression created during the repoussé process. Small perforations and losses along the edges suggest that the figure may originally have been attached to a wooden panel, shrine fitting or another supporting surface.
The votive figure will be supplied in a reusable presentation box, securely suspended between two transparent flexible membranes without being permanently fixed. The box is suitable for both display and protected storage and opens with a simple push-to-open mechanism.
Size: ± 74 mm
Presentation box: 11 x 11 cm
Culture: Provincial Roman
Condition: good solid condition, to be handled with care. The repoussé figure remains substantially preserved and the facial features, beard, drapery and branch are clearly recognisable. The hands and attributes are missing, with further minor edge losses. Attractive dark patina with signs of wear consistent with age and use. No apparent restoration.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Silvanus was the Roman god and protector of woodlands, fields, rural boundaries, livestock and agricultural estates. He was commonly represented as a mature bearded man carrying a branch and a curved pruning knife. His cult was especially popular in Pannonia and the neighbouring Danubian provinces, where he was frequently shown in provincial dress, wearing a tunic and mantle. Small votive representations such as this could be dedicated at sanctuaries or displayed in domestic shrines to invoke the god’s protection and favour.
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!
Important information: This archaeological object is offered for sale and delivery within the European Union only.
Ancient Roman votive appliqué made from thin bronze sheet and worked in repoussé to depict a standing bearded deity, most probably Silvanus. The god is shown frontally, with a full textured beard and abundant wavy hair or a vegetal wreath. He wears a long garment and mantle rendered with prominent diagonal folds across the body.
A branch extends down beside his left arm, while the right hand and its original attribute are no longer preserved. This hand probably held the curved pruning or viticultural knife traditionally associated with Silvanus. The combination of beard, rustic appearance, branch and agricultural attribute supports the identification.
The reverse displays the concave negative impression created during the repoussé process. Small perforations and losses along the edges suggest that the figure may originally have been attached to a wooden panel, shrine fitting or another supporting surface.
The votive figure will be supplied in a reusable presentation box, securely suspended between two transparent flexible membranes without being permanently fixed. The box is suitable for both display and protected storage and opens with a simple push-to-open mechanism.
Size: ± 74 mm
Presentation box: 11 x 11 cm
Culture: Provincial Roman
Condition: good solid condition, to be handled with care. The repoussé figure remains substantially preserved and the facial features, beard, drapery and branch are clearly recognisable. The hands and attributes are missing, with further minor edge losses. Attractive dark patina with signs of wear consistent with age and use. No apparent restoration.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Silvanus was the Roman god and protector of woodlands, fields, rural boundaries, livestock and agricultural estates. He was commonly represented as a mature bearded man carrying a branch and a curved pruning knife. His cult was especially popular in Pannonia and the neighbouring Danubian provinces, where he was frequently shown in provincial dress, wearing a tunic and mantle. Small votive representations such as this could be dedicated at sanctuaries or displayed in domestic shrines to invoke the god’s protection and favour.
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
Repoussé Votive Silvanus Applique - in Presentation Box
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2026
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
