Of piriform shape with everted rim with gently chamfered upper lip and concave bottom; lid with bevelled rim, gently dished upper face rising to a central dome and cylindrical handle with piecrust pleats; iridescent surfaces. 831 grams total, 29.5 cm high

Ex Sangiorgi collection, acquired in the 19th century.
with Christie's, 3 June 1999, lot 121.
The remains of a 19th/early 20th century label can be seen on the glass on one side.
with Christie's, New York, 9 December 1999, lot 476.
American private collection, Westchester, New York, acquired in 1999.
with Bonhams, London, 30 September 2015, lot 91.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.203222.

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession number 81.10.8, for similar; cf. a very similar example with lid, discovered in the Conjunto Arqueológico de Carmona, Carmona (Sevilla), Spain, in Boletín del Museo Arqueológico Nacional, Madrid, IX,1991, figs.1-14; cf. The British Museum, museum number 1993,0102.11, for similar; cf. The Corning Museum of Glass, accession number 70.1.44, for similar. cf. also Metropolitan Museum of Art Twelfth Annual Report of the Trustees of the Association for eight months ending December 31, New York, 1881, pp.215-216.

A similar jar in the British Museum was found in Warwick Square, London, inside a lead canister, and was originally filled with bone ashes. The Romans often re-used glass jars, originally made for storing liquids and foodstuffs, as cremation vessels, but this kind of jar seems too fragile and was therefore probably purpose-made. The lead canister, which was found with the jar from London, protected the glass and bones. Georgio Sangiorgi is one of the most famous names associated with the field of ancient glass collecting. Working from the Galleria Sangiorgi in the Palazzo Borghese, Sangiorgi acquired the most magnificent collection of ancient glass, seeking only the finest examples.

The conical body decorated with overlapping petal-shaped panels, tapering neck with a wide spout, high arching handle with acanthus leaves, bust of a youthful male with long hair below (possibly Bacchus) the upper part terminating with a lion protome with the extended forelegs resting on the rim of the vessel, the high flaring foot possibly added later. 797 grams, 22.5 cm highExcellent condition

Private collection, Rosenheim, Germany, 1960s.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11734-201200.

Cf. similar oinochoe in Sotheby’s, Antiquities and Islamic Art, New York, 12 December 1997, New York, 1997, lot 133; Tassinari, S., La vaiselle de bronze, Romaine et Provinciale, au musée des antiquités nationales, Paris, 1975, figs.152-153, for similar typologies with different decoration; cf. also Radnoti, A., ‘Eine Bronzekanne aus Augsburg’ in Bayerische Vorgeschichtblätter, 25, 1960, pp.99-124, and pl.7; Nuber, H.U., Kanne und Griffschale, Ihr Gebrauch im täglichen Leben und die Beigabe in Gräbern der römischen Kaiserzeit in 53.Bericht des Römisch-germanischen Kommission, Berlin, 1972.

Considering the primary function of oinochoe as drinking jugs, the images decorating them were often related to the god of wine, Bacchus, here probably represented as young Dionysus accompanied by a lion.

Imitating Hadrian's sestertius adlocutio, the emperor with a companion (or Castor and Pollux) on horseback, one of the horsemen holding a round shield; arrayed legions in front of them wearing crested helmets, raised spears and quadrangular shields; legionary eagle in the foreground; the scene enclosed within a rope border; pin lugs and catchplate to the reverse. 12.9 grams, 33 mm

From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection, 1990s.
This brooch is an extreme rarity and is believed to be the finest known example.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11747-202502.

Cf. Hattatt, R., Ancient and Romano-British Brooches, Sherborne, 1982, p.147, no.140; for the Hadrian’s coin see Mattingly, Roman Coins from the earliest times to the fall of the Western Empire, London, 1977, pl.XXXIX, 25 (BM inventory no.1672).

These brooches were a mystery until one was excavated at Wiggonholt, Sussex, together with three other damaged specimens now in the Devizes Museum, all from Wiltshire (more precisely Cold Kitchen Hill). The image of the original coin was slightly modified. The local craftsman improved the coin type making his brooch more interesting, transforming the Emperor Hadrian on horseback into two cavalrymen, probably the sacred Dioscuri, while the Roman Aquila, symbol of the legions, was taken from the top of the signa and placed in the foreground.

Two adjoining parts of an inked wooden tablet, comprising 13 lines of text to the recessed upper face with two piercings to the lower edge; the reverse with an inked inscription reading 'TESTAMENTVUM / POMPONIMAXIMI' (the will of Pomponius Maximus); the 13 lines of inked cursive text following the grain of the wood, the text containing instructions from a will concerning the inheritance of fields on the Mustulo estate (fundus Mustulo), to a Iulius Dancharrus (son of the testator); a field with eight fig-trees, bought from a Iulius Castricius, and several sheep to 'my beloved daughter Zabullania'. 64 grams total, 19.5-20 cm wide

From an important London collection since 1975.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by searcher certificate no. 200269.

See Thomas, J. D., Vindolanda: The Latin Writing Tablets, Britannia Monograph Series No 4, London, 1983, for examples of wooden tabulae re-used as writing surfaces; for examples of testamentary documents on wooden tablets that have survived, see FIRA III, p.47, for Anthony Silvanus from 142 AD, also see BGU VII 1695 for Safinnius Herminus; for another from Transfynydd, North Wales, see Arch. Camb. 150, pp.143-156.

Rothenhoefer, P., Neue römische Rechtsdokumente aus dem Byzacena-Archiv / New Roman Legal Documents from the Byzacena Archive, (forthcoming).

The text is written in a very formulaic language typical of Roman legal-documents (among other things, familia testamenti faciundi erga emit Iul. Maianus: the entire possessions, in order to make a will, was bought by Iul. Maianus).

The ribbed body with gusseted strap handle and trefoil mouth. 428 grams, 15.5 cm high

with a London, UK gallery 1971-early 2000s.

Of bulbous form, with a broad everted rim, integral scallops at the neck and splayed handle, perforated floral motif to centre of bowl, scrolling waves around and Greek key pattern above; hole to bowl. 97 grams, 17.5 cm

Acquired 1990s-early 2000s.
East Anglian private collection.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by searcher certificate no. 200925.

Cf. Walters, H.B., Silver / Catalogue of the Silver Plate (Greek, Etruscan And Roman) in the British Museum, London, 1921, no.146, for a similar elaborately decorated silver strainer fastened to a silver funnel by a hinge in the British Museum, inventory no.1890,0923.6.

Round-bowled strainers of various sizes occur in many late Roman hoards of domestic silver. They were used to strain the sediment from wine as it was poured into a drinking vessel. It is noteworthy that wine could have been a kind of gift from the Romans to the members of the foreign or provincial elite, often allies of the Roman leaders. Sets of bronze dishes (such as jars, scoops and strainers) along with glass horns (often with bronze fittings) and silver cups for drinking, usually placed in the so-called princely graves, confirm the wine consumption and indicate the area of its occurrence also outside the Empire.

Broad squat vessel with flat inturned rim, curved round-section handle with median collars, attachment plates formed as leaves and profile beast-heads; shallow basal ring. 1.97 kg, 33.5 cm wide

German private collection, 1980s.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.201190.

Cf. similar bronze bowl in the collection of the British Museum, London, under accession no. 1939,1010.109.

Of biconical form and bearing an engraved letter 'C' to the top face; slightly concave base; iron handle showing some corrosion. 30.3 kg, 35 cm wide

Ex Gorny & Mosch 11th July 2006, auction 150, lot 543.
East Anglian private collection.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.199905.

The letter C likely represents the Roman numeral Centenarius, or 100 Roman lbs.

The crescent-shaped body decorated with champlevé enamel in pinkish red and blue, a suspension loop projecting from the upper edge and two perforated lugs projecting from each of the lower corners, attached bar with suspended tweezers, nail cleaner, ear spoon and pick. 30 grams, 81 mm

Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection, 1990s.

See various examples in PAS YORYM529; SF4761; NARC1285; KENT4759;BH-1DB7F2; NLM-8D8EF3.

The champlevé enamel of this toilette hanger is a clear example of provincial Roman decorative patterns. Such enamelled chatelaine brooches, with toilet sets affixed, were a common female accoutrement, notably in Roman Britain.

Comprising a rectangular plate, richly decorated with embossed laurel leaves in a grid, framed with raised bosses, the buckle loop comprising opposing dragons with open mouths, holding a spherical tongue-rest, another pair of smaller dragon heads to base, the tongue with a smaller pair of punch-decorated dragon heads. 152 grams, 11.2 cm

Acquired before the 1970s.
Ex J.L. collection, Surrey, U.K., thence by descent.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.203881.

Cf. Sommer, M., Die Gürtel und Gürtelbeschläge des 4. und 5. Jahrhunderts im römischen Reich, Bonner Hefte zur Vorgeschichte, 22, Bonn, 1980 (1984), pls.5, no.2; pl.12, nos.1-2; pl.38 no.4-5; 47 nos.3-6; 51, no.9; pl.69 nos.3-4.

Most precious military buckles, like this one, were reserved for soldiers belonging to Legiones Palatinae, i.e. the legions forming part of the imperial Comitatus, accompanying the emperor in his military expeditions.

Comprising three rectangular belt fittings: two with similar laurel leaf decoration and raised border, the third central plaque with two foliate pendants with punched decoration. 243 grams, 17 cmVery fine, excellent condition

Acquired before the 1970s.
Ex J.L. collection, Surrey, U.K., thence by descent.

Cf. Sommer, M., Die Gürtel und Gürtelbeschläge des 4. und 5. Jahrhunderts im römischen Reich, Bonner Hefte zur Vorgeschichte, 22, Bonn, 1980 (1984), pls.5, no.2; pl.12, nos.1-2; pl.38, no.4-5; 47, nos.3-6; 51, no.9; pl.69, nos.3-4.

Most precious military belts were reserved for soldiers belonging to Legiones Palatinae, i.e. the legions forming part of the imperial Comitatus, accompanying the emperor in his military expeditions.

Each protome composed of a gently tapering shallow octagonal body, the upper part formed as an eagle's head with semi-naturalistic hooked beak, eye and feather detailing, collar at the base of the neck decorated with crenelated borders; two upward curving arms terminating with stylised cobra heads; one with impact damage from a crash(?). 2.1 kg total, 13-13.7 cmRegular green patina, in general very fine condition, except the broken head of one cobra.

Private collection, Rosenheim, Germany, 1960s.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11732-201194.

Cf. Boube-Piccot, C., Les bronzes antiques de Maroc, III, Les chars et l’attelage, Rabata, 1980, p.199, no.333, from Banasa; cf. Wenedikov, I., Le char thrace, Sofia, 1960, pp.153-201, pl.97, and Gudea, N., Porolissum. Un complex arheologic daco-roman la marginea de nord a Imperiului roman. II. Vama romana (monografie arheologica). Contributii la cunoasterea sistemului vamal din provinciile dacice, Cluj-Napoca, 1996, fig.31 (also Boube-Piccot, 1980, fig.10bis); a similar sheath had been found with the chariot of Nicomedia, and a similar, with open lateral rings showing serpents have been found in Thrace: three with a chariot from the tumulus of Doukhowa-Moghila, four with a cart from Ljubimec (Wenedikov, 1960, pl.55A, fig.190-192; p.40, no.150, pl.30, fig.107), four with the cart from Svilengrad, and a single isolated find has been discovered in the Burgos region.

These chariot fittings were usually elements surmounting the axle, a sort of sheath allowing the suspension from the body of the cart to the wagon box using belts. The chariot (currus) which these fittings adorned may have been used for transporting wealthy and aristocratic individuals, although most probably it was a tensa, i.e. a triumphal chariot or a ceremonial vehicle upon which images and symbols of divinities were placed.