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LOT 0850
Roman Agate Cameo with Sleeping Dog
CIRCA 2ND CENTURY A.D.
5/8 in. (0.84 grams, 15 mm).
Pear-shaped cameo with a raised image of a reclining hound resting its head on its front paws. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
LiteratureCf. for parallel (cameo with sleeping dog) the British Museum, London, no.1890,0901.9, from Pompeii.
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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Roman Bronze Diploma Fragment
228 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
Rectangular fragment with irregular clipped edges; Side A - trilinear concentric border to the corner; Side B - inscription in serifed capitals '[.]NAS IN MATRI[MONIO / [D]VXERINT PRIO[---] / [.]TOLLANT AC SI [---] / [CIVI]BVS RO[M]ANIS [---] / [ID]VS IANQATICI / [M.] MAECIO PRO[BO COS] / [.]A SEVERIANA'. 28.4 grams, 56 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Lead Votive Mirror
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
Discoid with a grapevine decoration around the rim, two large scrolls flanking the ribbed handle. 32.5 grams, 90 mm
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Roman Terracotta Bullae, Tesserae or Token Group
3rd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £234
A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 32 grams total, 14-22 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' refers to a four-sided shape. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term ‘token’ is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets.
