Pewter Spoon Collection

With a keeled hoop having a Greek-style inscription on both sides beneath the bezel, expanding shoulders with triangular panels engraved with palmettes, a tiered bezel, the lower level with an incised Greek key design to the short edges, the second level with a zig-zag pattern around the perimeter, and the round top part with an incised bird motif. 10.38 grams, 27.41 mm overall, 17.36 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)



Ex London art market, 1990s.

Ellipsoid in plan with chamfer to reverse edge; incuse scene comprising a baseline with fluted column at each surmounted by an inward-facing profile; at base, a perching eagle with head turned and wreath in its beak; above, profile bust of Serapis with modius, crescent moon and sunburst; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 14.4 grams, 40 mm



Private collection, England.

Elipsoid in plan with domed obverse; intaglio with Omphale standing nude on a baseline, right hand on her hip and supporting her club with her left; at her feet an Apulian trozella vessel; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 4.13 grams, 25 mm



Private collection, England.

The figure bears the classic symbol of Hercules - the club - but the details of her nude body and lack of beard indicate that this is a female. Omphale was the queen of Lydia, daughter of the river Lardanos. According to myth, Hercules was a slave to the beautiful queen for three years and was forced by her to dress as a woman and spin wool, giving up his lion's head. It was Omphale who donned her lion's head and wielded the club, as depicted in this intaglio, an allegory of submission and revenge in love. An interesting post-classical work.