1st-2nd century AD. A substantial pair of bronze fulcra, each formed as an elegant swan head with intricately-incised striations for feathers, head turned nearly 180 degrees, heavily lidded ovoid eyes, large beak tapering to a narrow, rounded point above the incised mouth. See Daremberg, C.V. & Saglio, E. (eds.), Dictionnaire des Antiquités Grecques et Romaines, Paris, 1873-1917. 2.5 kg total, 18cm high including stand each (7"). Private collection, New York, A, 1980s. Pierre Bergé & Associés, 1 June 2012, lot 279. Apanied by an archaeological report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is apanied by AIAD certificate number no.11032-183987. Fulcra were attachments placed on fulcrums, or curved headboards of reclining dinner beds (lect or kline) on which Greek, Etrcans and Romans sat during banquets. Properti in his elegies (IV,7) mentions the bed upon which lovers lay after they had eaten: '…I dreamt last night of Cynthia, dead and buried to blaring funeral trumpets. Returned, she leaned over the bed (fulcro) in which I lay asleep as soundly as back in those nights of love’s utter exhation…' Swans had connotations of luxury and sexual desire. They were connected with the legend of Leda, Queen of Sparta, seduced by Ze who transformed himself into a swan. From this the divine twins, Kastor and Pollux, and Helen of Troy were born. [2] [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions .]