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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 Bronze Statuette of Mercury
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £2,750
Standing erect on a tiered socle base in contrapposto pose; pointillé-textured mantle draped to the left shoulder, left arm bent, hand holding a wand; right arm loose at the side, hand holding a patera; finely modelled face with short wavy hair; shallow dimple or socket to the crown; standing on a possibly later tiered disc base with square foot. 957 grams, 16 cm high
Acquired on the German art market, 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire collection, UK. 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.12013-213587.
Mercury was the god of trade and industry, whose principle shrine in the city of Rome was at the Circus Maximus. The draped mantle is typical of statuary of Mercury from the 1st-2nd century A.D. (Boucher, pl.40, 43) and the 'baton' may in fact be the stem of a caduceus (Boucher, pl.46 (211)). -
Roman Silver Trumpet Whorl Brooch
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £520
Fine openwork casting of La Tène trumpets and scrolls with catch to the reverse. 10.5 grams, 38 mm
Ex London collection, 1990s. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of an East London gentleman. -
Roman Silver Trumpet Brooch
Circa 1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £137
With chord, spring and pin, and trumpet-shaped headplate: D-section collars and a discoid finial at base of flared foot; articulated pin intact; catchplate projecting from the reverse of the lower bow, curving at the outer edge to house the pin. 39 grams, 60 mm
Acquired in Munich, Germany, in the late 1980s. Ex property of a Staffordshire, UK, gentleman.
