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LOT 0655
Late Roman Gold and Garnet Earring
4TH-6TH CENTURY A.D. OR LATER
1 1/4 in. (7.4 grams, 33 mm).
Comprising a single earring with thick hook closure, folding towards the bottom and ending in a small hoop; teardrop-shaped plaque with ten bezels having cabochon insert garnets; a central garnet cabochon surrounded by smaller garnet cabochons in different hues of red, framed by gold granules, each stone set in a gold cell with filigree collar; the back decorated by fine filigree.
ProvenanceFrom a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.
LiteratureCf. Marshall, F.H., Catalogue of the Jewellery, Greek, Etruscan and Roman, in the Department of Antiquities, British Museum, London, 1911, pl.LXVI, no.2866, for similar style of manufacture.
FootnotesThe use of Roman style jewellery continued in the east also after the fall of the west, especially in the old jewellery production centres like Alexandria and Antioch, giving way to an increased production in Constantinople. In the Eastern Empire, jewellery played an important role, expressing rank status and being also used as a diplomatic tool.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Iridescent Glass Vessel
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
With globular body, columnar neck and ground rim; much iridescence remaining to surface. 20.7 grams, 89 mm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Theatre Masks
1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,640
Polished to an oval shape, engraved with eight theatre masks in two rows; one row with three tragic masks in profile, one depicting a satyr, and a tragic mask of an old man shown frontally; the opposing row with a tragic mask of an old man in profile, a Bacchus mask, a mask of a bearded man wearing a cap shown in three-quarter view, and a mask of a young hero facing the centre. 2.51 grams, 22.02 mm
From the collection of a late London, UK, gentleman, 1980s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12033-214124.
The masks represented seem to be relevant to the typologies of the 'new comedy', an image that appears on cameos and gems since the Augustan era. -
Late Roman Gold Ring with Facing Birds
Circa 5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,470
With a heavy round-section hoop thickened at the base, lentoid bezel with ropework border and two opposing cockerels. 14.42 grams, 24.86 mm overall, 17.53 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)
Believed to have been acquired at Christie's. Property of a North American gallery. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12109-214332.
