Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 4th century CE. A miniature bronze bull votive of the type used in Roman sacrificial rites, cast via the cire-perdue (lost wax) technique. It has a simplified form, with the details of the face suggested by incised lines. The bull was a sacred symbol in ancient Rome, and during the 2nd to 4th centuries, Romans celebrated the taurobolium, when a bull was sacrificed as an offering to ensure the well being of the people and the Roman state. The bull was also involved in the religious cult of the Mithraic mysteries, which spread throughout the Roman Empire. Size: 2.4" W x 1.2" H (6.1 cm x 3 cm)

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#137235

  • Condition: Ancient loss to the tip of one horn. Smooth, shiny, mottled teal and turquoise patina.

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October 25, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000