Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 2nd century CE. A beautiful cast-bronze figurine of a standing eagle with a raised head turned to its left. Meticulous feather detailing on the head, chest, and flowing wings emphasize its naturalistic qualities. The eagle stands atop a pair of narrow, clawed feet with bent legs, almost as if it were ready to take flight at a moment's notice. The turned head displays teardrop-form eyes, a planar brow, a petite incised mouth, and an intimidating aquiline beak. The surface, primarily covered in espresso-hued patina, is nicely complemented by miniscule areas of light-brown and pistachio-hued patina. Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 2.875" W x 2.875" H (7.3 cm x 7.3 cm); 3.375" H (8.6 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."

A similar example hammered for $2,760 at Christie's New York, Park Avenue Antiquities Auction, 18 December, 1996, lot 161: https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/a-roman-bronze-figure-of-an-eagle-1113056-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=1113056&sid=26950dd4-a97d-4a26-9786-23938f56dce1
A similar example hammered for $2,629 at Christie's New York Antiquities Auction, 10 December, 2004, lot 603: https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/a-roman-bronze-eagle-circa-2nd-3rd-century-4395522-details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=4395522&sid=26950dd4-a97d-4a26-9786-23938f56dce1

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#132420

Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, fading to some incised feather details, small nicks to wings, beak, and feet, and light discoloration, otherwise intact and excellent. Light earthen deposits along underside, and great brown and green patina throughout.