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LOT 0185
Eastern Roman Silver Ring with Victory Holding Wreath and Palm Branch Gemstone
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (3.20 grams, 19.78 mm overall, 16.22 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K, USA 5 1/4, Europe 9.95, Japan 9)).
With circular hoop expanding at the shoulders, oval bezel flanked by two bosses; the bezel set with a carnelian gemstone engraved with the winged goddess Victory, dressed in a chiton with overfold, walking on tiptoes to the left and holding a laurel wreath in her right hand and a palm branch in her left.
ProvenanceAcquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s.
Important North West London collection.
Cf. Cravinho, G., ‘Roman Engraved Gems in the National Archaeological Museum in Lisbon’ in Studies in ancient Art and Civilization, vol.21, 2017, pp.173-245, figs.25-28, pl.2, for the type.
FootnotesThis type derives from a statue by Lysippos and appears on statues, reliefs, coins, and gems for purposes of political propaganda. In some variants on gems, Victory has her foot up on a globe, is seated and wears a helmet, an Erote gives her a palm, or the shield is propped against a trophy, a column or a palm tree.
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 0185
Eastern Roman Silver Ring with Victory Holding Wreath and Palm Branch Gemstone
Estimate £500 - 700€580 - 810 (for guidance only)$680 - 950 (for guidance only)
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Roman and Later Artefact Group
Circa 1st century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £65
Comprising: a silver gorgoneion head mount; sheet-gold accessory element; bone pin with figural finial; lead seal dated 1789. 28.1 grams total, 15-64 mm
Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance. -
Roman Gemstone with Cavalryman
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Oval in shape displaying a mounted cavalryman riding left on horseback; polished. 0.75 grams, 13 mm
Collected from 1969-1999. From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK. -
Roman Bifacial Green Jasper Gemstone with Saddled Male Donkey and EVM
1st century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £444
The intaglio with a donkey (mule?) grazing, body facing right; Latin inscription on the verso ‘EVM’ (him). 0.98 grams, 12 mm
Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.
Donkeys were used by the Roman army from circa 200 B.C. but mules, the hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, were to become the most important working animals for the military and were used to pull heavy artillery such as catapults. It has been estimated that there were probably half a million mules serving in the Roman army by the time of Augustus (31 B.C.-A.D. 14). DNA studies have now shown that mules may have comprised up to 50% of the equids in the Roman Empire. The use of pack-mules for the army continued in the Eastern Roman army until the fall of Constantinople.
