Roman Amber Glass Eye-Shaped Dish

Bulbous with flat base, tall stem neck, splayed rim with an in-folded lip. 46 grams, 12.7 cm high



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

During the early Roman period the glass-making techniques used by the Greeks were continued. Much of the glass was buried and as a result acquired an attractive lustrous patination. Roman glass became a medium for the promotion of the emperor and imperial propaganda, as well as having utilitarian purposes. Glass blowing, a new technique, meant that quantities of identical bottles could be produced.

Carnelian with intaglio of three radiating stalks of wheat; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.2 grams, 9 mm



From the collection of a Swiss gentleman formed in Europe from 1970-1980s; thence by descent from the family in London.

Flat ceramic sherd with incised concentric rings, band of impressed alternating lozenges and roundels, group of four fish to the centre; fabric-backed. 178 grams, 17.5 cm



Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister

The representation of fish on this terra sigillata from a North African workshop suggests the connection with Christian faith through the fish symbol. The ancient Greek: 'ἰχθύς', was an acronym for the phrase ‘Jesus Christ, Son of God’, in Greek, and was used by early Christians for this reason. The fish symbol was very common in the catacombs of Rome and was used as a recognition symbol among the early Christians.