Ancient Rome – Bronze Statuette of a Dolphin – Certificate of Authenticity

Typological expertise reveals perfect concordance with reference museum collections (British Museum, Louvre inv. ED 4501, Metropolitan Museum). The arched silhouette and raised tail fit into the classical Roman decorative vocabulary for this type of votive object or decorative attachment.

The main face presents a stylized dolphin in vertical position, tail raised in dynamic momentum. The sober modeling concentrates the symbolic force of the protective animal of the seas in an entirely Roman formal language.

The reverse maintains the sculptural continuity of the ensemble, testifying to the round-casting characteristic of these productions.

Flan and edge

The bronze casting reveals careful manufacture with positive workshop micro-traces attesting to ancient authenticity. The sharp contours and compact composition favor readability at distance.

Dimensions: 37 × 22 mm. Material: cast bronze with homogeneous ancient green patina with natural bluish mineral nuances. Remarkable state of conservation with stable patina and harmonious surface.

In Greco-Roman imagination, the dolphin embodies Neptune's benevolence, protection of travelers and psychopomp power. Present in marine sanctuaries, domestic contexts and funerary spaces, it becomes talisman and ex-voto.

Embematic object of the Roman repertoire combining formal sobriety, symbolic power and spiritual depth. Authentic witness to Roman religiosity and taste, this piece presents certain museum value.

Provenance documented by old European private collection (before 2000). Authenticity certified. Perfect stylistic coherence with reference museum corpora.