Late Roman Ring with Cross and Fish Gemstone

Standing on a rectangular base, erect head and crescentic horns, curled tail with the tip resting on the back. 324 grams, 77 mm high



From the Jones family collection, Cambridge, UK, formed in 1971. Acquired Bonhams, London, 23 October 2012, lot 40. Private collection of Professor Kenneth Graham, London, UK. Accompanied by an original catalogue page and a copy of the original invoice.

Modelled in the round, standing wearing a paenula, his two hands holding up the hem to support a pile of fruits on his erect penis; mounted on a custom-made stand. 31.7 grams total, 63 mm including stand



From the private collection of Mr K.A., acquired in the 1990s-early 2000s.

Composed of a central domed boss and openwork volutes to the sides; for a sword belt or a chariot, one corner separated. 69 grams, 14 cm wide

Good condition, very rare

Acquired 1960s-1990s. Late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

In 3rd century A.D. the sword (spatha) was mainly carried suspended from a broad baldric usually on the soldier’s left side. This sword’s shoulder belt, visible on many monuments related to the 3rd century, was composed from a leather strap, reinforced on the rims. The four specimens of Vimose provided valuable information about the shape of the baldric: one end was broad and finished in a straight edge, the other tapered to a narrow strip. They were decorated with silver disks (phalerae) of circa 6.4 cm. of diameter, with rings on the reverse for fastening. These phalerae were of different shapes, styles and decorations: we can observe a range from simple copper-alloy discs to bronze openwork pieces fitted with a plate or an openwork disc showing elaborate figures. They were usually attached at about 29-30 cm from the wider and squared top of the baldric. One of the finial parts of the baldric was in fact very wide and ended with a straight edge, upon which could be placed a hinged rectangular openwork terminal plate (like our specimen), attached to a belt terminal pendant. The lack, in our specimen, of holes for the attachment rivets could also support the thesis that the piece is not for a baldric, but a mount for cart or chariot as some examples in a similar style found in Roman North Africa.