Large Roman Cut-Glass Beaker

Comprising a rectangular-section body and a round, discoid finial. 29.5 grams, 14 cm



Acquired on UK art market. Property of a Middlesex gentleman.

Comprising a shallow discus with a wreath on the shoulder, a central nine-petalled flower surrounding the filler hole, a long nozzle with raised sides, a lug handle to the rear, and a raised basal ring. 158 grams, 13.4 cm



By descent to the son of a late Hertfordshire gentleman collector, whose collection was formed from the 1960s.

A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 37 grams total, 14-23 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' refers to a four-sided shape. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term ‘token’ is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets.