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_900x900.jpg "Amethyst Gemstone with Portrait of Constantine the Great")
_200x200.jpg "Amethyst Gemstone with Portrait of Constantine the Great")
.jpg "Amethyst Gemstone with Portrait of Constantine the Great")
LOT 0156
Amethyst Gemstone with Portrait of Constantine the Great
ROMAN, 4TH CENTURY A.D. OR LATER
1 in. (5.36 grams, 26 mm).
With intaglio profile bust of Constantine with pteruges and cloak clasped at the shoulder; supplied with a museum-quality impression.
ProvenanceAcquired in the late 1970s.
Property of a London, UK, private collector.
From an old London, UK, collection.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12806-241223.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. Donati, A., Gentili, G., Costantino Il Grande, la civilta' Antica al bivio fra Occidente ed Oriente, Milano, 2005, p.223, no.31, for near identical portrait in amethyst.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0156
Amethyst Gemstone with Portrait of Constantine the Great
Sold for (Inc. bp): £10,400
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Roman Gemstone Collection
2nd-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £222
Including advancing lion, perching bird and other types; each supplied with a museum-quality impression. 3.82 grams total, 7-19 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Roman Bronze Stamp Seal with Moon
4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
Of tiered and balustered form with incuse image to underside, lion passant surmounted by a star and crescent moon. 4.61 grams, 23 mm
Acquired in 1993. Private collection, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Roman Julius Caesar 'Battle of Munda' Lead Slingshot
45 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
A biconical facetted lentoid-section lead sling shot (glans), inscription monogram a combination of letters 'C', 'A' and 'E', for 'C A E S' referring to Julius Caesar. 38.6 grams, 31 mm
Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a gentleman collector. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 4th May 2022 and titled 'Roman Res Publica - Lead Slingshots (glandes) of Caesarian Age - 45 B.C circa'. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The shot (type IIb of the Völling classification) is marked with the abbreviated name of Julius Caesar; vast quantities were used at the Battle of Munda (or Monda) against the last supporters of Pompey, the leaders of the Optimates, on the 17th March 45 BC. Similar shots were used during Caesar's wars. The slingers of Caesar's age were part of the light infantry. Caesar speaks of his Balearic slingers during the conquest of Gaul. They wore a short tunic, with leather or rope sandals to the feet, and a warm overcoat which could also have been used to store projectiles. They also used a satchel to carry deadly lead-like stones or bullets.
