Late Roman Glass Pendant with Frog and 'Life' Inscription

Rectangular sheet-gold with boss to the centre, repoussé phallus motif. 2.24 grams, 30 mm



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

Modelled in the round standing erect with right hand on his hip and left arm extending from the elbow resting on the left hip and with fingers curled to hold a staff or handle, wearing a loosely draped cloth over the left shoulder and drawn around the body to hang over the arms; ribbed cuffs to the boots; youthful face with tousled hair and slightly exaggerated lentoid eyes; C-shaped staple beneath the feet for attachment; supplied with a custom-made display stand. 506 grams total, 18.7 cm including stand



with Sotheby’s, Antiquities, London, 6 July 1995, no.130. Acquired by the present owner at the above sale. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12194-222321.

The statue was probably a cult offering and presents an archaic Etruscan hairstyle, being part of the Italic statuettes produced as votive offering to the temples or for private lararia. His warrior status can be confirmed by his boots, typical of Etruscan and Latin warriors of archaic times.

Ellipsoid bezel with 'SIXT' in seriffed capitals. 3.34 grams, 21.50 mm overall, 18.12 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.

The Roman personal name 'Sixtus' is usually assumed to be an adaptation of Greek 'Ξυστος' meaning 'polished. However, in Latin, it originally indicated the sixth child born in the family.