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LOT 0104
Graeco-Roman Green Jasper Gemstone with Medusa
1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (1.34 grams, 20.82 mm).
An exceptional intaglio engraved with head of Medusa in three-quarter view, depicted with a sorrowful expression, full lips and large eyes gazing up; voluminous hair composed of entangled snakes framing her face, large wings to the brow flanking a pair of rearing serpents, a knot of serpents below her chin.
ProvenanceAcquired in Switzerland 1970-1980.
From a London, UK, collection.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12034-214098.
Cf. Pirzio Biroli Stefanelli, L., L'Oro dei Romani, gioielli di eta' Imperiale, Roma, 1992, fig.14, for an identical head of Medusa on a cameo of Augustan Age.
FootnotesIn ancient mythology, Medusa was one of three monstrous winged female creatures who had venomous snakes living in her hair. In classical antiquity, representations of the head of Medusa appeared in the apotropaic device known as the Gorgoneion, designed to ward-off evil and bad luck.
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 0104
Graeco-Roman Green Jasper Gemstone with Medusa
Estimate £3,000 - 4,000€3,480 - 4,640 (for guidance only)$4,050 - 5,400 (for guidance only)
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Roman Redware Bowl
North Africa, 3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Broad dish or shallow bowl with rounded flange rim and base. 350 grams, 23.5 cm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. -
Roman Buffware Oil Lamp with Gladiator
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Mould made, solid round handle with two circles, flat shoulder with a shallow row of ovolo motifs, separated from the discus by two shallow circular grooves; side central filling-hole and small air hole on the lower field of discus, decorated with a gladiator raising his right hand; heart-shaped nozzle, base-ring marked by radiating lines. 97 grams, 10.5 cm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
The lamp seems to belong to the Bussiere form DX1, maybe variant a and c. This form groups together lamps with a plain shoulder and a heart-shaped nozzle. In an early variant, D IX 1, the upper curves of the ‘heart’ are nearly on a horizontal level. This is the case for all the African and Italic examples in the Getty collection. Scenes of circus and gladiators are very popular. -
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Roman Lead Coffin Fragment with Sphinx, Medusa and Dolphins
2nd-3rd century A.DSold for (Inc. bp): £3,380
Decorated with a high-relief pattern comprising sphinxes surrounded by dolphins and masks of Medusa surrounded by laurel leaves all between Corinthian columns; ropework and floral border strips with laurel leaves above; lip below the upper edge. 20.1 kg, 101.5 cm
Acquired 1970s-early 1990s. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.
This item belongs to types widespread in the Eastern Mediterranean. The panel is decorated with a columned structure, and within each section are symbols of the outer-world, including gorgons, sphinx and dolphins. The sphinx, having a human head and breasts, legs and paws of a lion, and wings of a bird, was generally associated with protecting imperial tombs and temples. The roundels featuring the head of Medusa, known for her potent gazes that could turn one to stone, was favoured on sarcophagi and architectural ornaments because it was believed that her image would protect those within. The dolphin was considered to ferry the souls of the dead to the afterlife.
