Roman and Other Bead Necklace

Comprising a substantial ring mounted on a short neck with tiered collars and facetted flared flange below; three radiating carinated knops, loop to the underside. 76.36 grams, 70.36 mm overall, 21.92 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V, USA 10 1/2, Europe 23.77, Japan 22)



Found Thetford, Norfolk. From an East Anglian private collection.

A Roman North African terracotta oil lamp with grooved ring handle; discus decorated with the mythological scene depicting Leda and the swan embracing. 77 grams, 10.3 cm



Dr Suzanne Gozlan, thence by descent. Suzanne Gozlan (1921-2022), a doctor of History and Archaeology, served as a professor at the Ecole Normale d'Instituteurs de Chartres and lectured at the University of Paris 4 Sorbonne. Property of a Bristol, UK, gentleman.

In Greek mythology, Leda was the wife of King Tyndareus and queen of Sparta. According to the myth, Zeus, the king of the gods, was captivated by Leda's beauty and appeared before her in the form of a swan. He then either raped or seduced her and impregnated her. The same night, Leda slept with her husband who also impregnated her, as a result of these two unions she laid two eggs, each containing one set of twins. According to later Greek mythology Leda bore Helen (of Troy) and Polydeuces, children of Zeus, while at the same time bearing Castor and Clytemnestra, children of her husband.

With pointillé design to each shoulder and rim of bezel, low-relief long-necked zoomorph with tail raised; provincial workmanship. 6.39 grams, 25.60 mm overall, 20.93 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S 1/2, USA 9 1/4, Europe 20.63, Japan 19)



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