Leilão Bidspirit | Roman statuette of a dolphin

Roman statuette of a dolphin - ITEM: Statuette of a dolphin MATERIAL: Bronze CULTURE: Roman PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D DIMENSIONS: 36 mm x 25 mm x 80 mm CONDITION: Good condition PROVENANCE: Ex Spanish private collection, acquired between 1980 - 2000 Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice. In the Roman period, dolphin statuettes held symbolic significance and were associated with various aspects of Roman life, including mythology, religion, and daily rituals. Dolphins were often depicted in Roman art and sculpture due to their connection with Neptune, the god of the sea. These statuettes served as votive offerings and were commonly placed in temples dedicated to Neptune or other marine deities. The Romans believed that offering dolphin statuettes would invoke the protection and favor of these sea gods, especially for those involved in maritime activities or seeking safe passage during voyages. The representation of dolphins in Roman statuettes also carried symbolic meanings beyond their association with the sea. Dolphins were considered symbols of good fortune, intelligence, and playfulness. As a result, dolphin figurines were sometimes used in domestic settings as decorative items or talismans believed to bring luck and positive energy to the household. The widespread popularity of dolphin imagery in Roman art reflects the cultural significance attached to these creatures and their ability to bridge the realms of both the natural and divine. Moreover, dolphin statuettes were not limited to religious or domestic contexts; they were also used as elements in Roman funerary art. In some cases, dolphins were incorporated into tomb decorations or placed near burial sites, symbolizing protection for the deceased in the afterlife.