Roman and Other Bead Necklace String

Fragments of wall plaster with rendered surface painted with mainly red, pale blue and white detailing; some with impression of timber laths to the reverse. 496 grams total, 7-10.7 cm



Acquired in the 19th century. Ex Jeger collection, Switzerland. UK gallery, early 2000s.

These small fragments, showing analogies with fragments from Pompeii, seem to belong to the second style of Roman painting, red panels representing highlights and shadows, decorated with vegetal interlaces. Some panels were probably framed by a red grenade fillet. A fragment shows alternate blue and red colours over a cream background, maybe pertinent to a socle.

Penannular type with rounded ends, chamfered panels with punched-point detailing, hatching. 26.09 grams, 67 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

One intaglio carved with the image of an elderly man seated before a column, the other with the figure of the sun god Sol; set into a later gold ring; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 7.59 grams, 23.27 mm overall, 19.02 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13131-248400.

Chrome chalcedony was widely used in jewellery and seals throughout the Roman Empire; it disappeared from use in the ancient world in the 2nd century when the known deposits were mined out.