Roman and Later Hardstone Gemstone Collection

Comprising a D-section hoop and a large, oval bezel with a pair of stylised zebu bulls facing right. 4.44 grams, 24.41 mm overall, 19.00 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



London, UK, art market, 1980s. Private collection, London, UK.

D-section hoop, elliptical in plan, with raised oval bezel set with a jasper intaglio engraved with inverted Greek inscription 'IXΘYC' (ichthys, meaning 'fish"), a Greek acronym for 'Jesus Christ, Son of God; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 9.18 grams, 21.91 mm overall, 18.68 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)



Private collector, acquired in the early 1990s. Private collection, England.

The term ichthys is the equivalent of the ancient Greek: ixθus, ichthýs ('fish'), used by early Christians to refer to Jesus Christ. For this reason, the fish symbol was very common in the catacombs of Rome. In particular, the ichthys is one of the oldest Christian symbols that has come down to us. Used covertly by Christians to mask their faith from Roman persecutors, when a Christian encountered a stranger whose loyalty he needed to know, he would draw one of the arches that make up the ichthys in the sand. If the stranger completed the sign, the two individuals recognised each other as followers of Christ. The symbol was also drawn on the doors of the houses of Christian families. Its use spread in the 3rd century to personal effects such as the ring offered here.

Translucent with straight sides narrowing to the dimpled base, flared and rolled rim, the body decorated with two horizontal ribbed lines. 105 grams, 10.5 cm



Swiss private collection, Bern. Swiss private collection, Basel. with Sayd & Fayez Barakat & Sons, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Shaher Barakat, Jerusalem.

The Hebrew word 'zekhukhith' (glass) appeared in the Old Testament, but it was frequently used in the Mishnaic Hebrew and in correlation with the Aramaic 'zegugita'. In the Talmudic times white and coloured, transparent glasses were very valuable. This magnificent goblet was found on Mons Scopus, in Jerusalem and it shows the skill and the capacity of the Roman glass blowers of the time. After the establishment and unification of the Roman Empire under Augustus (27 B.C.), glass manufacturing quickly travelled throughout the Empire, and with the ease of production, glass entered the same sphere of use and popularity as metal and clay vessels.