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LOT 0093
Gnostic Epigraphic Gemstone
3RD-5TH CENTURY A.D.
1/2 in. (1.25 grams, 14 mm).
An engraved gemstone with a stylised image of Harpocrates, depicted as a naked child with a finger raised on his mouth, seated on a lotus flower in a boat, groups of wild animals arranged in threes surrounding; the other side with a magic inscription in Greek letters 'I, E, A, P, Φ, K, Ο, Γ'.
ProvenanceAcquired before 1988.
Ex family collection, by descent, Geneva.
See Sfameni, C., 'Magic in Late Antiquity: the evidence of magical gems' in Late Antique Archaeology, Volume: 6 Issues: 1, 2010, pp.435-473, fig.6, for a gem intaglio with similar feature.
FootnotesEgyptian deities are often represented on magical gems. One of the most interesting figures is the image of Harpocrates seated on a lotus flower, called ‘the young sun’. This figure had a solar nature and a protective function.
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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Roman Artefact Group
Circa 1st-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
A trio of artefacts comprising: a Roman copper-alloy coin, likely a sestertius, with worn designs to obverse and reverse, the reverse likely portraying the goddess Minerva leaning on a shield and wearing a helmet; a stone loom weight of conoid form, dated c.100 A.D. and discovered in Egypt; a Roman ceramic oil lamp dated c.500 A.D., piriform in plan with raised borders to the central opening and nozzle, decorative ribbing to the shoulder, conical handle and basal ring. 150 grams total, 33-92 mm
From an old UK collection. From the private collection of Alf Baxendale (1941-2016) part 2, keen Egyptologist, member of the Egyptology Society, trustee of the Amarna Trust; thence by descent. Accompanied by two identification display cards. Accompanied by a copy of his obituary published in Horizon, The Amarna Project and Amarna Trust newsletter, Issue 18, 2017, p.21, by Barry John Kemp, CBE, FBA, Professor Emeritus of Egyptology at the University of Cambridge and directing excavations at Amarna in Egypt. -
Roman Silver-Gilt Military Buckle of an Elite Imperial Officer
4th-5th century A.D.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,500
A set of military belt elements comprising: a buckle with rectangular plate, richly decorated with embossed laurel leaves in a grid, framed with raised bosses, the buckle loop comprising opposing dragons with open mouths, holding a spherical tongue-rest, another pair of smaller dragon heads to base, the tongue with a smaller pair of punch-decorated dragon heads; three rectangular belt fittings, two with similar laurel leaf decoration and raised border, the central plaque with two foliate pendants with punched decoration. 390 grams total, 27.5 cm wide
Very fine, excellent condition
Acquired before the 1970s. Ex J.L. collection, Surrey, U.K., thence by decent. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11588-199387.
Most precious military belts, like this one, were reserved to soldiers belonging to Legiones Palatinae, i.e. the legions forming part of the imperial Comitatus, accompanying the emperor in his military expeditions. -
Roman and Later Ring Collection
1st-19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
A mixed group of copper-alloy finger rings of various types and sizes, including examples with incised geometric motifs, stars, plants, ring-and-dot motifs. 76 grams total, 17-24 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
