Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 24
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3
Roman Bronze Hand w/ Iron Dagger
Roman Bronze Hand w/ Iron Dagger
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3
Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. An incredible find, a dramatic cast bronze hand clutching an iron dagger. The details of the fingers are lifelike, the fingernails clearly defined. The dagger itself is of pyramidal form, with a flat hilt peeking out from the other side of the fist. The wrist is hollow and socketed, with a hole, presumably because it was once attached to a larger figure by a pin or nail. Perhaps it was even articulated in its original position. Size: 3.7" W x 3.6" H (9.4 cm x 9.1 cm); 6.2" H (15.7 cm) on included custom stand.

The image of a Roman hand clutching a dagger immediately reminds us today of the assassination of Caesar, but daggers were famous as assassination weapons long before the Ides of March. Gaius Servilius Ahala saved Rome in 439 BCE by killing Spurius Maelius, a wealthy Roman who intended to make himself king; Gaius had a dagger concealed in his armpit and stabbed Spurius. Although Gaius was brought to trial and had to go into voluntary exile, many Roman authors, especially Cicero, considered his action to have been incredibly heroic. In general, however, knife crime was a real problem in ancient Rome, and we know of several legal attempts made to curb it, like Sulla's Lex Cornelia. This sculpture may be from a depiction of heroic acts against potential dictators, or it may be from a scene of criminality. Either way, it is definitely a conversation starter!

Provenance: private R.D. collection, Long Beach, California, USA collection, acquired from Palmyra Heritage Gallery, New York, USA in the late 1990s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#189580

  • Condition: Crack with small, stable loss on the socket.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

November 15, 2024 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$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 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000