Lot 40
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Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A fierce cast-bronze figurine of a standing eagle with its raised head staring straight forward, its large wings spread outward to the sides and its broad tail tilted outward behind its body. The eagle stands atop a pair of powerful, clawed feet, almost as if it were ready to take flight at a moment's notice. These are attached to a socket-like finial. Size: 3.1" W x 3.75" H (7.9 cm x 9.5 cm); 5.45" H (13.8 cm) on included custom stand.
The eagle was a highly-symbolic animal among the Roman military and was a great symbol of pride and victory in the eyes of the legions. Known as "aquila" in Latin, the eagle was a representation of honor, victory, and cohesiveness within a legion. One member of each legion was referred to as an aquilifer, or "eagle-bearer," as it was their primary duty to carry and protect that legion's designated eagle standard. If ever an aquila was lost or stolen, it was the primary obligation of the aquilifer to go to any lengths to recover the standard and see to its safe return. Losing an eagle standard was considered a grave omen for its respective legion and would typically lead to distrust and paranoia among the legionaries. 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 J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in 2018; ex-Artemis Gallery; ex-private East Coast, USA collection
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#151076
- Condition: Wings and tail have been expertly repaired and restored, with a small area of added material along one of the wings. This is well done and unobtrusive. The patina has been stabilized.
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| 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 |