Numismatica Ars Classica Zurich

Auction 106 - Part I (2)  –  10 May 2018

Numismatica Ars Classica Zurich, Auction 106 - Part I (2)

Roman and Byzantine Coins

Th, 10.05.2018, from 10:30 AM CEST
The auction is closed.

Description

Nero caesar, 50 – 54. Aureus in brooch October-December 54, AV 22.50 g. AGRIPP AVG DIVI CLAVD NERONIS CAES MATER Confronted busts of Nero, bare-headed r., and Agrippina Minor, draped l. Rev. NERONI CLAVD DIVI F CAES AVG GERM IMP TR P around oak wreath, enclosing EX S C. C 6. BMC 6. RIC 1. CBN 5. Calicó 399. Italian Revivalist gold brooch, supposedly 1850s-1880s, signed FLORENTIN on the reverse. The aureus is held by four prongs, within a decorated loop which is held between the snouts of two confronted lion’s head protome. The lions’ mane is stylized with a series of bumps (gold pearls), and their bodies are joined together into a geometric shape – on top a decorative triangular motif of large and small globes. The method for securing the brooch-pin, with a coiled wire hinge for the pin and a cone-shaped catch, is typical for the period. Whilst Castellani specialized in neo-Etruscan granulation work, the intricate decoration on this piece by Florentin is done with a design of ad astragali wires which was also applied by soldering, like the granulation. We have not found another example of lion heads being used to ‘hold’ a coin, but the motif fits well the taste of the time, and could have been inspired by 4th/3rd century BC Greek gold earrings in the collection of G. P. Campana (acquired by the French government in 1861 and much copied). Such confronted lion heads could also be found in ancient bracelets, for example on a 4th century BC Scythian one from the Temir-Gora find of 1869 in South Russia (which was immediately copied by Elkington & Co and others), but also on a gold-plated one with embossed gold terminals from the ‘Curium Treasure’ of 1875 in Cyprus (which was immediately copied by Tiffany’s). Such archaeological pieces were fashionable worldwide worldwide, and we can note the lion’s head bracelet in so-called Assyrian style which Robert Phillips did for Lady Layard in 1869, but the quality and style of this specific coin brooch indicates an Italian work. Florentin cannot be found amongst the jewellers listed in the contemporary touristic guides, such as John Murray’s Handbook of Rome an its environs (many editions), so we do not know his first name or his address, but his surname reveals a French origin, like the jeweller Ernesto Pierret (born in Paris in 1824 and active in Rome from c.1845 onwards), whose work of great quality resembles this piece. The best overview of the jewels of this period can be found in: Diana Scarisbrick, “La Moda del gioiello archeologico: Castellani e gli altri”, in I Castellani e l’oreficeria archeologica italiana, Rome 2005, pp. 284-299.

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Price realized 70'000 CHF
Starting price 64'000 CHF
Estimate 80'000 CHF
The auction is closed.
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