Italic Carnelian Gemstone Depicting the Goddess Athena Before a Tree in Gold Ring

With densely curled hair, stern facial expression beneath a broad brow, luxuriant curled beard falling in waves and cut square at the lower edge, a Roman copy after a 5th century B.C. Greek original; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 32.2 kg total, 52 cm high including stand



with Chaucer Fine Arts Ltd, 1980s. English private collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Marina Mattei and Dr Laura Maria Vigna. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11615-199747.

This belongs to a type of archaic sculpture which can be traced back to the original ‘Hermes Propylaios’ by the Attic sculptor Alkamenes, a pupil of Phidias, active in the second half of the 5th century B.C. According to some theories, such depictions of Hermes (Hermae) were created for the Propylaea of the Acropolis of Athens, Hermes being the patron deity of doors and entrances. According to others, this type of bearded Hermes was located within the Acropolis as a devotional figure.

Fragments of wall plaster with rendered surface painted with mainly red, pale blue and white detailing; some with impression of timber laths to the reverse. 967 grams total, 7.7-11.5 cm



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

These small fragments, for analogies 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. Some panels were probably framed by a red grenade fillet. A fragment shows alternate blue and red colour over a cream background, maybe pertinent to a socle.

Intaglio image of Minerva standing on a baseline holding spear and shield, supporting a victoriola in her extended hand; set into a later gold ring; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 7.59 grams, 27.22 mm overall, 18.18 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.

The specimen of agate used by the engraver was undoubtedly used for its apotropaic ‘eye’ like qualities, which were used as amulets for protection against the evil eye.