Orangey-red intaglio with a concave front and flat back, depicting the three-quarter bust of Serapis; displaying a tightly curled beard, shoulder-length wavy hair with a central parting brushed up from the forehead, wearing the characteristic calathus (woven basket or corn-measure) headgear, symbolising fertility; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.47 grams, 14 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

Serapis was a Graeco-Egyptian god combining the Egyptian gods Osiris and Apis, but with a decidedly Greek appearance. He was promoted by Ptolemy I in the 3rd century BC to help unite the Greek and Egyptian people. Later, Ptolemaic rulers spread his worship, and Serapis became popular across the Roman Empire. Outside Egypt, he was often identified as Isis's partner, replacing Osiris. Over time, he also adopted traits associated with the Greek gods, Hades and Dionysus.

Plano-convex in section, incuse facing bust of an elderly man wearing a tunic and toga; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.90 grams, 14 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

Showing a mature man in profile facing left, modelled after the Roman Republican portrait models; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 1.15 grams, 18 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

Incuse image of a palm tree with splayed fronds, ladder placed against the trunk, and a man with a basket ascending to pick the fruit; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.71 grams, 12 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

Ellipsoid inlay with incuse profile bust of an elderly man with thinning curly hair, wrinkled brow and hollow cheeks; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.91 grams, 17 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

The piece has been restored after having been split into two parts, retaining a chip on the edge.

Plano-convex in section with reserved facing theatrical mask of Pornoboskos, or brothel-keeper, with bald head and bushy beard. 0.69 grams, 12 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

Intaglio image of Hercules kneeling on a baseline holding a snake aloft in one hand and gripping another in the other hand; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.70 grams, 13 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

According to legend, Hera wanted to rid herself of the infant Hercules and placed snakes in his crib. So strong was he even at that young age that he managed to overcome and kill them. The artist has represented the hero as a fully-grown young man.

Plano-convex type with incuse image of naked Jason advancing beneath an overhanging tree with Golden Fleece suspended in its branches; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.79 grams, 13 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

Incuse profile bust of Silenus with full beard and bald head; below, gnarled walking stick made from a vine; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.39 grams, 11 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

Discoid in plan with high-relief mask of Cupid (Greek Eros). 0.42 grams, 8 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

Ellipsoid plaque with reserved stag grazing, one hindleg raised to the flank. 1.09 grams, 16 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

The surface is burnt, hence the colour change.

With incuse scene on a baseline depicting a nude warrior resting on a baseline with his shield propped behind his back, one leg bent and one arm extended towards the convex shield of another warrior (visible as head and trunk), with a stylus in his hand in the act of inscribing the shield; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.50 grams, 14 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.