**First Time At Auction**

Gallo-Roman, Imperial period, ca. 2nd to 3rd century CE. A rare and graceful bronze amphora boasting a slender pair of arched handles that each terminate in a maskette at the rounded shoulder edge. Each maskette presents idealized features with a round visage comprised of ovoid eyes beneath arched brows, a petite nose, and bow lips, all surmounted by a layered coiffure with spiraling volutes on each side. Stippled bands and vertical striation further embellish the handles, adding an intricacy to their elegant form. The shoulder, neck, and rim are also further adorned with incised circles on the interior and exterior of the vessel. While the classical form of this amphora is Roman, the minimalist features and piled hair of the masks are evocative of Celtic iconography suggesting that this vessel was made during the Romanization of Gaul. A unique example from a formative period of Western civilization! Size: 7.1" Diameter x 7.1" H (18 cm x 18 cm)

Cf. The Hunt Museum, Limerick, accession number MG 014.

Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA; ex-Cahn Auction, Basel, Switzerland, September 18, 2009; ex-Dr. Florian Papp collection, Munich, Germany, 1964-1990s

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#177260

Expected surface wear with nicks and abrasions, as well as some small losses to base and an old repair near bottom. Otherwise, excellent with nice remaining detail and rich patina throughout.