Roman and Other Bead Necklace

Modelled in the round figure of Faunus (Pan) in active pose with one leg raised, right arm bent in front of his chest, hair and tail billowing. 96 grams, 10.3 cm



Acquired on the German art market, 1989-1995. with The Museum Gallery, 19 Bury Place, London, WC1A 2JB, 1998-2003. Property of a London based academic, 2003-present.

The god standing nude on an ivy-leaf base in contrapposto pose with right arm extended and hand held palm-outwards; mantle pinned at the right shoulder and wrapped around the bent left arm; the head held erect with soft rounded facial features and luxuriant curls, diadem with radiating spikes representing beams of light; mounting stud to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 583 grams total, 17.5 cm including stand



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

The cult of Helios-Apollo intensified in the third century A.D. and the adoration of Sol Invictus, with the radiate crown, was often linked to that of Mithras, the god of legions, whose symbol was the bull. Under Emperor Aurelian, the Sol Invictus became the main god, protector of Rome and the Roman state.

The banded glass imitating banded agate; intaglio scene composed of a crowned figure standing right, holding a cornucopia and wreath, an eagle standing beside. 2.61 grams, 19 mm



From an early 20th century collection, Caernarfon, North Wales, UK.

The gem appears to represent Zeus with a cornucopia on his right arm and a crown in his left hand, with the eagle, his symbol, at his feet. The eagle has its head turned back, and stands looking up towards him.