Lot 31
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A lovely bronze handle of a folding knife depicting a regal-looking eagle perched atop an integral plinth. Enveloped in a verdant green patina, the ancient avian stands tall with a puffed chest and wings tucked to its sides, as his neck curves forwards to display pierced eyes and a pointed beak. Incised lines adorn the bird's body, meticulously delineating each plume. The Roman eagle was a symbol of the legion, and this may have been owned by a legionary. Size: 0.9" W x 3.2" H (2.3 cm x 8.1 cm)
In ancient Rome, the eagle had an association to the Roman military and oftentimes bronze eagles would be featured as staff finials - leading armies into war. Eagles were also powerfully symbolic to the Romans: the soul of the emperor was incarnate in an eagle, and mourners released eagles above imperial funerary pyres to carry the soul to heaven. To quote a piece of historical fiction set in Roman Britain entitled "The Eagle of the Ninth" (Rosemary Sutcliff, 1954), "Eagle lost, honor lost; honor lost, all lost."
Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection; ex-Bonhams London Antiquities Auction, 8 May, 2013, lot 95; ex-private Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom collection, found by the owner in August 1997
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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#133004
- Condition: Missing blade. Expected nicks, abrasions, and light softening of detail, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with nice patina and iron deposits from blade on verso.
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