Ancient Roman, Empire Bronze Mace from a large Heracles statue with a lion's head. Ex-Gorny& Mosch - 79 mm
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Starting bid
€ 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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This Roman Imperial bronze club, dated to the 1st–3rd centuries AD, has a lion-head finial and may have belonged to a larger Hercules statuette or served as a handle.
AI-assisted summary
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 statuette of Hercules or the handle of an implement.
The elongated, slightly irregularly shaped shaft is characterized as a club by its raised, knotted bulges. Clubs of this kind are among the most important attributes of Hercules (Roman Hercules) and regularly appear in small bronze statuettes of the god.
The sculpted upper end is particularly noteworthy. It depicts a stylized animal head with large, circularly rendered eyes, an open mouth, and openings on either side. A robust, profiled collar separates the head from the shaft.
The bronze has an attractive, naturally formed dark-green to greenish patina.
Culture: Roman
Date: Roman Imperial period, 1st–3rd century AD
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 79 × 13 × 14 mm
Condition:
Ancient break at the lower end; otherwise preserved and intact.
Provenance:
Acquired in 2026 from the German art trade; previously in the private collection of H. L., Rhineland, since before 2000.
The invoice is available and will be provided to the buyer as a 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 statuette of Hercules or the handle of an implement.
The elongated, slightly irregularly shaped shaft is characterized as a club by its raised, knotted bulges. Clubs of this kind are among the most important attributes of Hercules (Roman Hercules) and regularly appear in small bronze statuettes of the god.
The sculpted upper end is particularly noteworthy. It depicts a stylized animal head with large, circularly rendered eyes, an open mouth, and openings on either side. A robust, profiled collar separates the head from the shaft.
The bronze has an attractive, naturally formed dark-green to greenish patina.
Culture: Roman
Date: Roman Imperial period, 1st–3rd century AD
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 79 × 13 × 14 mm
Condition:
Ancient break at the lower end; otherwise preserved and intact.
Provenance:
Acquired in 2026 from the German art trade; previously in the private collection of H. L., Rhineland, since before 2000.
The invoice is available and will be provided to the buyer as a 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.
