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LOT 0836
Late Roman Bronze Ring Bezel with Menorah and Symbols
4TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
3/8 in. (0.75 grams, 9 mm).
Discoid with a raised bar on the reverse, on the upper face a large menorah flanked by lulav and shofar. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceUK collection since the 1990s.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Roman Children’s Gold and Gemstone Ring Group
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,000
Comprising three rings, the largest ring set with a garnet intaglio with a standing male figure (Odysseus shooting with his bow); the slightly smaller ring set with an emerald; the smallest ring set with a garnet intaglio of an amphora; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 3.82 grams total, 9-13 mm
Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12956-245984. -
Roman Moulded Iridescent Glass Cup
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £468
With rounded base and rounded rim; parallel ribs to the upper body below the rim; partly restored. 185 grams, 12.4 cm wide
Ex London, UK, gentleman, 1990s. -
Monumental Roman Marble Head of a Greek Philosopher, Probably Diogenes
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46,800
Carved in the round bust of a cynical, mature philosopher with short tousled hair and thick beard, exaggerated protruding eyes and gaunt facial features, the mouth modelled slightly open as if the subject is in pain; mounted on a custom-made stand. 47.6 kg total, 60 cm including stand
Private collection, Paris, 1980s. European private collection. Accompanied by a copy of French passport no.237041. Accompanied by an academic report by Professor Neritan Ceka. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12610-234690. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The portrait head was initially meant to be assembled on a statue. Chisel marks at the neck level indicate a relatively late separation of the head from the body, which must have been twice its natural size. The working of the back of the head suggests that the sculpture was exposed only to the front. The search for realistic traits brings this head close to the Hellenistic portraits of the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, representing socially disadvantaged people of different ages and situations, such as fishermen and peasants, in the so-called genre sculptures. This presentation would be in contrast to the supernatural proportions of the portrait, which should have represented an elderly, publicly known person, poet, or philosopher, exhibited in his city of origin. In this respect, it would be more suited to the representation of a Cynical philosopher, in the model of Diogenes of Villa Albani. The almond-shaped eyes without drilled pupils, engraved eyes, and the absence of a deep drilling technique on hair date the portrait between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD.
