Eastern Roman Terracotta Bifacial Bulla with Figure and Inscription

Featuring a long neck with a rounded, flattened rim and an oval body; the relief decoration on the body consisting of small, tightly packed knops. 77 grams, 10.3 cm



Ex J. Lawton collection, UK, 1990-2010. Roman glass from an important London collection, acquired from the early 1980s. Accompanied by a previous typed catalogue information page with provenance.

This typology of pinecone-shaped flasks is typical of the Syro-Palestinian region and was usually produced from the middle to the second half of the 1st century A.D. The type appears in two variants: one with a broken-off rim, and vessels with a folded rim like our specimen.

Fragments of wall plaster with rendered surface painted with mainly Pompeii red, pale blue and white detailing; some with an impression of timber laths to the reverse. 1.06 kg total, 9.7-15.3 cm



Acquired in the 19th century. Ex Jeger collection, Switzerland. UK gallery, early 2000s.

These small fragments, by analogy with the fragments of Pompeii, seem to belong to the second style of Roman painting - red panels representing highlight and shadow, decorated with vegetal interlaces. A red grenade fillet probably framed some panels. A fragment shows alternate blue and red colours over a cream background, maybe pertinent to a socle.

A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 30 grams total, 13-22 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' suggests by etymologically referring to a square or at least a four-sided shape and confirmed in several cases by material remains of the past. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term token is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets.