LOT 0937

Roman Amethyst, Gold and Garnet Bead Necklace

1ST-3RD CENTURY A.D.

20 1/2 in. (51 grams, 52 cm).

Restrung group of graduated biconical amethyst beads with gold interstitial beads with granulation detailing, three crescent pendants, each with a cabochon gemstone to each of the finials. Cf. Christie's, 13 December 2013, no.297.

From the collection of former Italian Ambassador Carlo Perrone-Capano.
The majority of this collection was established during his period in office in Damascus during the 1960s.
His later life was spent near Grantham, and his collection was disposed of by his descendants at Golding Young Chartered Auctioneers & Valuers, Arts & Antiques Surveyors.
Christie’s, New York, 11 December 2009, no.401.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13123-248087.

Cf. Marshall, F.H., Catalogue of the Jewellery, Greek, Etruscan and Roman, in the Department of Antiquities, British Museum, London, 1911.no.2044, for a necklace of similar gold spheres.

Amethyst was widely used in Graeco-Roman Egypt. We know that the amethyst mines of Abu Diyeiba, near Semna, were in use from the time of Ptolemy VI through to the Roman era. Pliny says that Indian amethysts were the best, but he also refers to amethysts from Egypt. The Egyptian amethysts are typically flawed and of a pale, almost pink, hue. They were seldom set in gold and were most usually made into beads. Ptolemaic and Roman inscriptions and artefacts have been found at amethyst mines in Egypt’s eastern deserts.