Large Roman Iridescent Twelve-Sided Jug

Restrung group of graduated biconical amethyst beads with gold interstitial beads with granulation detailing, three crescent pendants, each with a cabochon gemstone to each of the finials. Cf. Christie's, 13 December 2013, no.297. 51 grams, 52 cm



From the collection of former Italian Ambassador Carlo Perrone-Capano. The majority of this collection was established during his period in office in Damascus during the 1960s. His later life was spent near Grantham, and his collection was disposed of by his descendants at Golding Young Chartered Auctioneers & Valuers, Arts & Antiques Surveyors. Christie’s, New York, 11 December 2009, no.401. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13123-248087.

Amethyst was widely used in Graeco-Roman Egypt. We know that the amethyst mines of Abu Diyeiba, near Semna, were in use from the time of Ptolemy VI through to the Roman era. Pliny says that Indian amethysts were the best, but he also refers to amethysts from Egypt. The Egyptian amethysts are typically flawed and of a pale, almost pink, hue. They were seldom set in gold and were most usually made into beads. Ptolemaic and Roman inscriptions and artefacts have been found at amethyst mines in Egypt’s eastern deserts.

Comprising an irregular piece, polished on two sides, probably material mined in ancient Roman times between the 1st and 5th centuries A.D. 8.3 kg, 54 cm



Acquired on the UK art market since the 1990s. From the private collection of a Somerset gentleman.

Mons Porphyrites (today Jabal Abu Dukhkhan) is the mountainous site of a group of ancient quarries in the Red Sea Hills of the inhospitable eastern desert in Egypt, a five-day trip from the Nile during Roman times. They were discovered by Caius Cominus Leugas in 18 A.D., and during the Roman Empire, the mines officially belonged to the emperor and were the only known source of the Imperial Porphyry, Mons Porphyrites. This dark purple stone was associated with royalty and used for prestigious sculpture and architecture. The location of the mines was lost sometime in the 5th century and rediscovered in the early 19th century. Excavations in the area have revealed the well-preserved quarries and the dwelling places of the quarrymen, and also thousands of ostraca have been discovered containing messages that provide details of how the quarrying took place, and of how the highly skilled quarrymen ordered their food.

Each a miniature astragalus with surface detailing. 5.86 grams total, 17-20 mm



From the collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK, 1970s, by descent.