Roman Bronze Spanish Military Monkey Statuette

Object Description

A finely crafted Roman cast bronze monkey statuette. The animal is seated on a polygonal base, right hand placed on the left shoulder with its head tilted towards it. The ape is dressed in a paenula (a long cloak without sleeves, and with only an opening for the head) and holds (possibly) a lantern. The anatomical features have been naturalistically rendered including deep-set eyes, long nose, and protruding brow-bone. This statuette has been mounted on a custom-made stand.

Measurement of the figurine without the stand: 3.7cm x 2.4cm

Date: Circa 4th century AD

Object History

‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.

Object Details