Description:

**Originally Listed At $500**

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A cast bronze handle for a chest or piece of furniture in the form of a curved, rising head of a sea serpent, an animal known as a cetus in the Classical world. In myth, Cetus ravaged the coast of Ethiopia, sent by Poseidon as punishment for Queen Cassiopeia's declaration that her daughter Andromeda was more beautiful than the Nereids. The king and queen chained their daughter to a rock as an offering to the monstrous creature, but Perseus found her and saved her, slaying Cetus. Here the creature has a long, serpentine neck, with a griffin-like head complete with beard and fins radiating outward along its back. Size: 1.45" W x 2.1" H (3.7 cm x 5.3 cm); 3" H (7.6 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: The Dere Family Collection, New York, USA, assembled 1970's-2000's; ex-Richard Wagner Collection, Massachusetts, USA, acquired in 1960's

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#137198

  • Condition: One of the small baubles from the back may be lost. Otherwise in fine condition, with very light encrustation in lower profile areas.

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January 7, 2020 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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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