Grand Tour Bronze Murmillo Gladiator Statuette

Including nine Roman and later coins, a large convex disc with low relief foliage decoration, two bronze moulds, a carved stone fragment. 668 grams total, 1.1-14.1 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of an East Anglia private collector. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Each earring composed of five articulated segments, masterfully crafted in silver and gold with an openwork gold base frame executed in the ajour technique extending to the edges; the upper section featuring a hexagonal stud centred by a table-cut diamond within a border of small inset stones, followed by heart-shaped and hexagonal links adorned with further diamonds; the central rosette displaying a prominent diamond encircled by six flat-cut stones, with the interstitial lobes and the hexagonal double frame highlighted by rows of tiny diamonds; the reverse richly ornamented with a stylised flowering plant motif, two leaves flanking a central stem surmounted by a round flower, all defined in silver-set diamonds against the openwork gold ground, further enclosed by a twin ring of zig-zagging diamond lines; suspended below, a claw-form dangle holding a large round pearl, capped above and below with diamond-set finials. 53.62 grams total, 10.1-10.2 cm



Acquired in 2010. Private collection, London. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12802-241417. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Bifacial double cross with two angels at the base carrying the cross, applied figures of Corpus Christi and Virgin Mary to one side with an inscription 'CAR VACA'; separately made reverse panel with openwork panels and foliate decoration; made as a reliquary. 101 grams, 13.7 cm



Acquired on the UK art market, early 2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The Caravaca Cross, also known as the Cross of Caravaca, originated in the Spanish town of Caravaca de la Cruz and according to tradition, first appeared in the 13th century during the Christian reconquest of Spain. According to a legend, during the rule of the Muslim king Abu Zeid in 1231, a miraculous event occurred. A Christian priest lacking a cross celebrated Mass and was not able to continue as the cross is an essential element for the Eucharist. Miraculously, two angels bearing the Caravaca Cross appeared thus enabling the Mass to proceed. This event is considered the foundational miracle of the Caravaca Cross.