Grand Tour Roman Style Bronze Oil Lamp

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.

Comprising a hefty hoop with scooped upper face, alternating applied skulls and crossed bones on the upper face decorated with white enamel, the eyes, noses and mouths of the skulls set with diamonds(?). 10.99 grams, 27.06 mm overall, 15.95 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K 1/2, USA 5 1/2, Europe 10.58, Japan 10)



Private collection of a North London lady before 2000. Property of a London, UK, gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12771-237884. 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.

The memento mori jewellery of the 16th and 17th centuries served as wearable ‘reminders of mortality’. Typical motifs within this genre included skulls, skeletons, crossbones, hourglasses, coffins, the gravedigger’s pick and shovel, and various other emblems of death and decay.

With flared rim, leaf pattern to the shoulder, handle formed as a kouros with arms flexed, hands reaching towards two dogs on the rim; fluted body decorated with lotus flower design. 1.24 kgm 17.8 cm



From the private collection of a S.W. London gentleman, acquired in the 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Considered to be after a Corinthian model, stolen from the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Taranto and now lost.