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LOT 0788
Large Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Ritual Scene
3RD CENTURY A.D.
1 1/8 in. (6.65 grams, 29 mm).
Dense figural scene comprising: left, three seated figures in profile, each with spear or staff in one hand and a raised sword in the other; resting hound below the seats, scorpion above; baseline with two arrows in exergue; standing figure advancing, holding an axe above a smaller figure crouching in submission; quiver and bow to the right; supplied with a museum-quality impression.
Provenancewith Hotel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo, 2019.
Private collection, England.
The presentation has many of the qualities of an initiation ritual with a group elders sitting in witness and an officiant testing the courage of the initiand.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Bronze Ring with Gryphon
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Comprising a wide hoop with a rectangular bezel with an incuse quadruped running left with its jaws open. 7.24 grams, 21.42 mm overall, 15.75 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I 1/2, USA 4 1/2, Europe 8.07, Japan 7)
Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
During the 3rd century A.D., a series of rings in silver and bronze bearing inscriptions or images asking for protection were realised with a square bezel having an engraved border around the central figure. -
Roman Gold Earring Pair with Pillar Drops
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
Tutullus type each with ropework border, central ring, radiating granules to the rim. 7.44 grams total, 36-42 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Brancaster Type Bronze Ring with Bird
4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Slender D-section hoop with raised knops flanking the rectangular bezel with a standing bird motif. 3.49 grams, 20.89 mm overall, 16.84 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K 1/2, USA 5 1/2, Europe 10.58, Japan 10)
Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.
The 'Brancaster' type ring was a product of the late 4th to early 5th centuries. Although no exact parallel for the engraved design could be found, the design depicts mythical animals. A late Roman finger ring from Havering, Essex, exhibits an engraved glass gem depicting Bellerophon slaying the chimaera.
