Ancient Style Object Group

A gold finger ring with openwork hoop and split shoulders, ellipsoid bezel with carnelian intaglio of Mercury wearing a petasos. 3.36 grams, 21.24 mm overall, 18.50 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)



English private collection.

A carved marble bust of a mature male with stern features, likely the emperor Carus, shown with short, neatly-dressed hair and beard; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 10.4 kg, 38 cm high including stand



French collection, 1960s-early 2000s. From an important Paris gallery, France. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11694-199338.

Carus reigned 282-283 A.D. He served as a prefect of the guard to emperor Probus, whom he succeeded. Whilst leading a campaign against the Sassanians, Carus died suddenly and under mysterious circumstances, leading to the belief that he was struck by lightning. Little is known of his life, owing to the relative instability of that time period. Whether he had Probus murdered, or whether he was killed by mutinous troops was disputed even by his contemporaries. Carus was succeeded by his sons Carinus and Numerian, although their reigns were short-lived and his dynasty was soon supplanted. Carinus’ lasting legacy was principally the suppression of the authority of the senate. He has gone down in history as one of the tyrants of ancient Rome.

A free-standing, naturalistically modelled figure of Saint Barbara, standing in an animated manner beside a scaled-down tower or turret with stone and glass came detailing, the saint shown with one bare foot emerging from beneath the hem of her luxuriant floor-length robes, adorned with a jewel near her right breast and crowned with a jewelled diadem; extensive remains of gesso and polychrome pigmentation; metal fitting to reverse for securing the figure upright. 38.3 kg, 1.34 m high



English private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11677-199840.

Saint Barbara is the patron saint of architects. Her father constructed a tower and imprisoned his daughter within it. To honour the Holy Trinity, Barbara had three windows incorporated into the design. The timber shows some old insect flight holes and we are advised that this piece has been recently treated with Permethrin, as a precaution.