Ancient Roman Lion head key handle
15
days
09
hours
07
minutes
25
seconds
Current bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 330 - € 400
3 other people are watching this object
 Bidder 1123 | €1 |
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Ancient Roman lion head key handle, a bronze terminal dating to the 3rd century AD, measuring approximately 78.3 × 23.7 mm, in good condition with olive-green patina, acquired in 2025 from a dealer at a fair in the Netherlands.
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.
Large Roman bronze terminal in the form of a finely detailed lion's head, originally serving as the decorative end of a key or fitting. The lion is modelled with a compact, rounded muzzle, drilled mouth aperture and alert, deeply set eyes. The mane is rendered in a series of incised locks sweeping back across the head.
The tubular socket extends behind the head, its exterior marked with subtle ring mouldings, indicating where it would once have been affixed to a wooden or metal shaft. The resting lion is holding a tag in its beak with faintly visible inscription. Very rare and interesting piece.
Size: ± 78,3 x 23,7 mm
Condition: good solid condition, smooth olive-green patina and surface wear, consistent with age and use.
This is a characterful fragment of Roman metalwork, emblematic of the Empire’s fondness for animal motifs on furniture, caskets and ceremonial equipment.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
Lions were strongly associated with Hercules as he strangled the Nemean Lion as one of his Twelve Labours. A lion's skin was one of Heracles' attributes.
For soldiers in the Roman army, the lion hunt was a favourite pastime. The Roman Imperial army included 'venatores' (hunters) in their ranks.
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.
* 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.
Large Roman bronze terminal in the form of a finely detailed lion's head, originally serving as the decorative end of a key or fitting. The lion is modelled with a compact, rounded muzzle, drilled mouth aperture and alert, deeply set eyes. The mane is rendered in a series of incised locks sweeping back across the head.
The tubular socket extends behind the head, its exterior marked with subtle ring mouldings, indicating where it would once have been affixed to a wooden or metal shaft. The resting lion is holding a tag in its beak with faintly visible inscription. Very rare and interesting piece.
Size: ± 78,3 x 23,7 mm
Condition: good solid condition, smooth olive-green patina and surface wear, consistent with age and use.
This is a characterful fragment of Roman metalwork, emblematic of the Empire’s fondness for animal motifs on furniture, caskets and ceremonial equipment.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
Lions were strongly associated with Hercules as he strangled the Nemean Lion as one of his Twelve Labours. A lion's skin was one of Heracles' attributes.
For soldiers in the Roman army, the lion hunt was a favourite pastime. The Roman Imperial army included 'venatores' (hunters) in their ranks.
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.
* 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
3rd century AD
Name of object
Lion head key handle
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2025
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2025
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
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.
