c.2nd-3rd century AD. A hollow bronze flute (aulos or tibia) with round-section body, six circular holes to one side and a D-shaped hole to the reverse. See Daremberg, C.V. & Saglio, E. (eds.), Dictionnaire des Antiquités Grecques et Romaines, Paris, 1873-1917, fig.6965; see the cast of the Roman flute from Pompeii, in the Spurlock Meum of World Cultures (inventory 1916.07.0011); Wardle, M.A., Mical Instruments in the Roman World, London, 1981, for iconography (pp.35ff., 115ff. and especially pl.22), and original specimens from Pompeii, pls.1-2; the closest parallel in Palagyi, T., Facsady, A., Romains de Hongrie, Lyon, 2002, p.117, fig.259 (bronze tibia from Pannonia, Savaria, today Szombathely"). 87 grams, 23cm (9"). From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister; from her collection formed early 1960s-1990s. 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.11055-184396. The flute was ed for religio ceremonies and for entertainment. The Pyrrhic, a war dance of Doric origin, was a rapid dance to the double flute, and made to resemble an action in battle.[A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions .]