Roman and Later Artefact Group

The gold circular setting inlaid with a polished garnet cabochon, suspension loop above and decorative knop below. 0.18 grams, 8 mm



From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.

The muse standing on a baseline with her head in profile, resting her left arm on a cithara, carrying a laurel branch in her extended right hand, the weight of the body resting on the right leg. 0.77 grams, 14 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.

The muse is Euterpe, the muse of music as well as lyrical poetry. The motif can be related to numerous representations of Apollo, in which he appears leaning on a column on which the lyre or tripod is placed. It is a serial representation, based on statuary prototypes, which were widely copied by Hellenistic-Roman artisans, where the figure of Apollo, here, is transformed in that of the muse of music.

Mould-made and shaped as a sandaled left foot, filling-hole surrounded by a ridge in the ankle area, the sandal with two leather straps tied together near the ankle, wick-hole in the big toe; inscription 'ƩΑΛΣΙϹ' to the base, heel chipped. 112 grams, 12.2 cm



With Gorny & Mosch, Auction 194, 14 December 2010, lot 505. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11799-206830.

This lamp belongs to a type of plastic lamp made in Anatolia and widespread throughout the Eastern Empire. The sandaled foot was part of the classification of plastic lamps dedicated to the representation of the human body. These lamps were the luxuries of the poor, being brought to temples as votive offerings, however some took their place in the domestic lararia, or were kept by children as playthings.