Roman Amber Glass Bead Necklace String

Portion of a carved frieze with reserved border to the upper edge; panel with high-relief carving of youthful Phaethon in profile with mantle and himation, mop of curly hair, right arm extended holding reins extending to the mane of the horse at the right edge; drilled to accept mounting pegs. 1.05 kg, 17.2 cm



Private UK collection. Acquired in the 1980s. Property of a Cambridgeshire gentleman.

In the story, which appears in several versions, Phaethon was the son of Helios the sun-god who asked to validate his parentage by driving his father's chariot. Helios tried to dissuade him, but the youngster would not listen and eventually managed to take control, but was unable to master the horses and the celestial vehicle veered out of control - too close to the ground where it started fires and then too distant so that the ground froze. Eventually, Zeus took remedial action and hurled a thunderbolt, which killed the boy. His dead body fell into the river Eridanus, and his sisters, the Heliades, were turned to black poplar trees while they mourned him.

Hemispherical in profile with low foot, incised circumferential lines to rim; high-tin surface with silvery appearance. 177 grams, 10.3 cm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12234-222176.

Modelled in seated pose, wearing a stylised Corinthian helmet, breastplate with gorgoneion motif, draped stola; right hand extended to support a patera, left hand raised holding the shaft of a spear (absent); hollow to the reverse underside; repaired; mounted on a custom-made stand. 717 grams total, 91 mm including stand



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.