Roman Agate Gemstone of Syncretistic Fortuna in Gold Ring

Hollow-formed with long neck, abundant thick hair and beard, broad mouth; probably intended to represent an emperor. 440 grams, 10 cm



Acquired by a Swiss family in the mid-1980s to late 1990s, thence by descent. Private collection, Switzerland, since the late 1990s.

The portrait seems to be a provincial bronze representing Hadrian, apparently aged around 30, recognisable from his incipient beard, moustache and distinctive physiognomy. However, the portrait is in an extremely provincial style, exemplified by the wide spacing of the eyes. The beard is lightly incised, and the highly stylised curls around the front of the head give way to simple incised locks on the back.

Modelled in the half-round with luxuriant curls to the hair and beard, strong nose and brow with lentoid eyes; undercut modelling to the nose, mouth and hair; large mounting socket to the right side of the brow and smaller beneath the chin. 574 grams, 10.5 cm



The father of Christopher Frederick, a general practitioner based in Brighton, East Sussex, who acquired it prior to 1969. Thence by descent to his son, Christopher Frederick, Brighton, East Sussex. Acquired from the above by the present owner.

Composed mainly of oblate and annular beads, the central feature with larger beads, including a cuboid bead with ring-and-dot markings. 16.6 grams, 34.5 cm



Acquired in the 1990s. Ex London, UK, collection.