Composed mainly of graduated glass beads of various shades of green, including annular, oblate, spherical, tubular and other types; restrung. 13.3 grams, 70 cm long

Ex W.J. collection, 1990s.

Composed mainly of semi-opaque beads of tubular, spherical, carinated and other types, including gold in glass and examples with iridescence, together with a sheet-gold repoussé bead; restrung. 15.3 grams, 49 cm long

Ex Garcia collection, France, 1990s.

Modelled in the round, seated cross-legged on a rectangular base, featuring semi-naturalistic facial and anatomical features and an exaggerated phallus; suspension loop to reverse. 9.13 grams, 36 mm highFine condition.

Acquired 1969-1999.
London collection of the late Mr S.M., thence by descent.

Displaying a figural scene in relief showing the Dioscuri, wearing a crested helmet and raising the right arm in salutation; the bust of Sol wearing a radiate crown and the horned bust of moon surmounted by a crescent, border to the perimeter representing two snakes; the inner border with seven six-pointed stars, a large dolphin-like creature swimming to the right, to the left a group of round objects; to the right of the left hand rider, a three-legged offering table with three candle-sticks; between the sun and the moon a standing female deity dressed in peplos and chiton, facing right with her right arm raised in front of her; behind the moon a bird waddling to left; to the right of the left hand rider, a cockerel; beneath the horse’s hooves two prostrate figures lying face down, head to the right and left, the right figure with the left knee bent in supplication; at the centre, between the two horsemen, a standing female deity in long chiton (Helen of Troy); behind the right horse, a standing male figure facing left with his right hand raised in salutation, wearing a knee length tunica, short boots and a heavy cloak; on the lower margin a small prostrate figure with head to the right, limbs extended, a twin-handled wine cup, a standard surmounted by a lamp, a figure hanging head down from a stunted tree and a lion stalking left. 61 grams, 70 mm

From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

See Tudor, D., Corpus Monumentorum Religionis Equitum Danuviorum, 2 vols, Leiden, 1969-1976; Rinaldi Tufi, S., 'I cavalieri danubiani e i loro misteri', in I Daci, Catalogue of the exhibition, Milan, 1997, pp.90-91.

The plaque contains a complex iconography of divine figures and symbols, probably associated with Thracian or Dacian beliefs of the Lower Danube region, but also with the Greek myth of the divine twins Castor and Pollux (the Dioscuri), an important element of Roman religion since its origins, here mixed with the cult of the Danubian rider. Presiding over the whole scene is usually the Sol Invictus (the unconquered sun-god) and his sister the Moon (Selene).

Modelled with a raised tail and stylised anatomical features; mounting knop to base. 7.2 grams, 25 mm

From the collection of an EU gentleman formed in the 2000s.
Acquired on the UK market.

With openwork design enclosed in a notched roundel, addorsed c-shaped central spokes and punched ring-and-dot motifs; hinged pin and catchplate to the reverse; complete. 14.8 grams, 37 mm

Acquired 1970s-1980s.
From a London brooch collector, UK.

Most discoid in form and displaying a variety of designs: a ring of dimples; dot-in-ring motifs within roundels; 'stars' with dimpled terminals; a five-pointed star; a lozenge-shaped counter displaying punched ring-and-dot motifs to one face. 24.4 grams total, 21-41 mm

Gabby family collection since the late 1960s; thence by descent.

From the upper part of a vessel, displaying a bird, a satyr head and a caduceus, a leaping wild horse and a gladiator within a roundel. 71.9 grams, 98 mm

Acquired 1960s-1990s.
From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

Cf. Beutler, F. et al., Der Adler Roms. Carnuntum und die Armee der Cäsaren, Bad-Deutsch-Altenburg, 2017, item 697, for similar fragment.

These kind of fragments are often found in military camps. In addition to simple cooking pots, jugs, plates and mortars, the household effects of a contubernium (the smallest organised unit of soldiers in the Roman army composed of eight legionaries) also included finer eating and drinking utensils. To avoid confusion, many soldiers marked their dishes with their names and, if necessary, repaired them with the help of lead clips.

Comprising: one of four crescents around central lozenge, complete with pin and catchplate to reverse; a discoid example displaying crescent and comma-shaped openwork. 18.5 grams total, 32-40 mm

From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.

Comprising a trio of graduated bird-headed pins, two with stylised feather detailing. 19.7 grams total, 42-54 mm

Acquired before 1980.
Ex property of a London, UK, collector.

Composed of a gold sphere with granule cluster below, ribbed shank and suspension loop with filigree borders; hollow-formed. 0.83 grams, 21 mm

With Persepolis Gallery, Mayfair, London, UK; in the 1980s.
Ex private collection, London, UK.

Formed with an openwork pelta-shaped body with roughly circular void; sub-rectangular projecting fitting lug. 94 grams, 86 mm

Acquired on the EU art market around 2000.
From the collection of a North American gentleman.