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LOT 0385
Neoclassical Carnelian Gemstone with Bust of the Roman Empress Livia as the Greek Goddess Ceres
ITALY, 18TH CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (1.51 grams, 19 mm).
Intaglio profile bust of Empress Livia with laurel wreath to her long hair, presented in the guise of Ceres; supplied with a museum-quality impression.
ProvenancePrivate English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s.
Private collection, London, UK.
Livia Drusilla (59 B.C.-A.D. 29) was Roman empress from 27 B.C.-A.D. 14 as the wife of Emperor Augustus. She was known as Julia Augusta after her admission into the Julian family in AD 14. Charis (Greek: Χάρις meaning 'Grace') was a goddess in Greek mythology, one of the 'Charites' or 'Graces' associated with charm, beauty, nature, creativity and fertility.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0385
Neoclassical Carnelian Gemstone with Bust of the Roman Empress Livia as the Greek Goddess Ceres
Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
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Silver-Gilt Mounted Jet 'Figa' Amulet
Spain, 17th century A.D.Estimate: £700 - 900 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £350
Formed as a hand showing figa gesture, silver mount with applied twisted wires; attachment loop and ring to the top. 19.6 grams, 56 mm
Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market.
Mano Fico, as protective amulets have been used since the ancient world, it was believed to protect from the evil eye and other dark and magical forces and to promote fertility. In ancient Rome, the fig sign, or mano fico, was made by the pater familias (father of the family) to ward off the evil spirits of the dead as a part of the Lemuria ritual. The ancient Greeks wore amulets of the gesture around the neck to protect from the evil eye, and also used the gesture in artwork. What they considered an overtly sexual gesture was expected to distract evil spirits from causing harm. The pendant would have been worn from a belt or from a chatelaine containing other protective talismans. This carving would have served as a token representing a person's pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, one of the very few places in which jet can be found and mined since at least the Middle Ages. -
Mosaic Glass Bead Collection
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
Fusiform, tubular and other types with dragged trails and other ornament. 138 grams total, 39-87 mm
Private collection, UK. -
Post-Classical Agate Gemstone with Sphinx
19th-20th century A.D. or earlierEstimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Discoid in plan with intaglio sphinx in profile on a baseline, with wings spread and tail raised, in 1st century A.D. style; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.55 grams, 18 mm
Private collection, England.
