Late Roman Decorated Silver Boss

Dark purplish-red round cabochon with a fly or another flying insect, striated body and four pairs of legs. 0.56 grams, 9 mm



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

With an elongated body, long nozzle with a rounded tip; raised rim to filling hole with hinged lid bearing a mask with sockets to the eyes for silver inserts; handle curved and terminating in a female mask with hair dressed in tiers, eyes recessed to be inlaid with silver; broad nozzle with cup and raised rim; socket to underside for mounting on a stand. 560 grams, 15.5 cm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

The lamp is crafted in a very fine style, probably in a classical form from the 1st or 2nd century. It belongs to a type known and widespread in the Mediterranean, with parallels in Paris, Madrid, the museums of Cadiz, Tarragona, and Aquileia.

Fragments of wall plaster with rendered surface painted with mainly Pompeii red, pale blue, brown and cream detailing; some with an impression of timber laths to the reverse. 673 grams total, 6.3-11.3 cm



Acquired in the 19th century. Ex Jeger collection, Switzerland. UK gallery, early 2000s.

These small fragments, for analogies with the fragments of Pompeii, seem to belong to the second style of Roman painting, red panels representing highlight and shadow, decorated with vegetal interlaces. A red grenade fillet probably framed some panels. A fragment shows alternate blue and red colours over a cream background, maybe pertinent to a socle.