Late 4th century AD. A tubular handle, possibly from small patera or vessel formed as a panther or lion head, the body decorated with 'peacock eyes', the head of the feline well-detailed with finely incised pleasing face and long fangs, a socketted circular fastening to the lower edge. Cf. Naumann, R., Neue Beobachtungen am Theodosiusbogen und Forum Tauri in Istanbul, in Istanbuler Mitteilungen 26, 1976, pp.117-141; Boucher S. and Tassinari S., Bronzes Antiques I, Inscriptions, Statuaire, Vaisselle, Paris, 1976, pp.124-125; a patera with lion or panther handle in the Fletcher Fund, 1962, [Provenance John J. Klejman, New York (sold 1962)]. 33.2 grams, 56mm (2 1/4"). From a private collection formed in the Netherlands; previously in a European collection formed prior to 1980. The decoration of the handle, with its typical peacock's eye motifs, recalls one of the pilasters of the Triumphal Arch of the Theodosius Forum in Constantinople.