4th century AD. An imposing and majestic marble eagle looking right with short rounded beak, the wings closed, thick feathers densely covering legs, breast, neck and wings. See Scrinari, V.S.N., Sculture Romane di Aquileia, Roma, 1972, figs.285, and no.8, of appendix for similar eagles. 1.3 kg, 19cm (7 1/2"). From a North Yorkshire collection formed since the 1980s; thence by descent. For the Greeks and Romans the eagle symbolised bravery, strength and immortality, and was the symbol of the king of the Olympian gods, Zeus or Jupiter. Icon of the Imperium Proconsulare of the Roman Res Publica, the eagle was chosen as the main standard, in gold and silver, of the Roman legions. Marble and limestone eagles were associated with military locations and often positioned at the borders of the Empire, admonishing the enemies of the power of Rome. [No Reserve]