Large Roman Terracotta Ring Suspension Lamp

Scaraboid type with incuse design to the underside of an elephant with stars above; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 3.04 grams, 17 mm



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

The Romans first encountered elephants in Pyrrhos' army, and the representation of elephants in Roman Art begins from this period. Victorious Emperors like Caesar and Vespasian celebrated elephants on their coins. Apart from the celebration of elephants as ‘war machines’, the image of elephants was linked to other aspects in the Roman Imperial Period. Before becoming emperor, Elagabalus was one of the priests of Helios-Sun worship in Emesa. He had elephant depictions on his coins during his reign. The elephants raise their heads to the sun when the sun rises. Thus, sun is represented on the gemstone together with the elephant.

Hollow-formed with long neck, abundant thick hair and beard, broad mouth; probably intended to represent an emperor. 440 grams, 10 cm



Acquired by a Swiss family in the mid-1980s to late 1990s, thence by descent. Private collection, Switzerland, since the late 1990s.

The portrait seems to be a provincial bronze representing Hadrian, apparently aged around 30, recognisable from his incipient beard, moustache and distinctive physiognomy. However, the portrait is in an extremely provincial style, exemplified by the wide spacing of the eyes. The beard is lightly incised and the highly stylised curls around the front of the head give way to simple incised locks on the back.

A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 34.4 grams total, 14-21 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' suggests by etymologically referring to a square or at least a four-sided shape and confirmed in several cases by material remains of the past. 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.