Phoenician Faience Bead Bracelet with Shell

A fragment of a segmentum in linen and red, brown, yellow and blue wool, S torsion, embroidered with a female head and a goose. 10 grams total including package, 79 mm



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

This is possibly a fragment from a tunic decoration, usually forming a part of bands on a red background, decorated with a series of motifs related to the Dionysian cult: usually depicting cherubs, fish, heads, palmettes, and figures of dancing puttoes within the orbiculi. The decorative motifs on these tunics were usually arranged vertically and horizontally.

Restrung necklace of tubular and annular beads with later pendant figure of Bastet as centrepiece. 9.93 grams, 80 cm long



From a private Tyneside collection, formed since the early 2000s.

Comprising: a fragment of a clavus in coarse linen and dark brown wool, tapestry, with remains of a medallion embroidered with a lion running right; fragment of an orbiculus in linen and yellow and blue wool, S torsion, embroidered with vegetal and geometric patterns; two terminal fragments of a clavi, in red, green, dark blue and white wool. 58 grams total including package, 8.6-19.5 cm



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

These are decorative parts of tunics. The lion orbiculus in particular stands out for its delicate design and hunting theme. Dionysus and his entourage were often depicted on these tunics, despite the fact that these fabrics were produced in a by then heavily Christianised empire.