Roman and Other Bead Necklace

With flat base and central boss, flared rim, incised rings to the inner face. 142 grams, 83 mm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

The function of Roman vessels is not always precise, as well as the separation between culinary forms and forms for domestic use, those of the kitchen and those of the table. Many bronzes belonged to table service (like perhaps this splendidly preserved example), others to objects of usual worship (patera) or washing, while basins, plates and crockery found their place above all in the kitchen.

A rare depiction of Flora standing holding a separately cast garland in her left hand, wearing pointed shoes, a long tunica talaris and a himation as a veil over her head, her hair surmounted by a diadem decorated with rosettes and falling in long wavy tresses in front, the pupils of her eyes indented; mounted on a custom-made tiered base. 617 grams total, 25.7 cm high including stand



From an Egyptian family collection, Alexandria and Cairo, acquired in the early part of the 20th century in Egypt and Europe, and transferred from Egypt to northern European family residences in the early 1950s. Northern European private collection, by direct descent from the above in the 1970s. Acquired from the above by the previous owner in 2002. with Sotheby’s, New York, 5 June 2013, no.88. German private collection. Accompanied by copies of the German cultural export licence and copies of the relevant Sotheby’s catalogue pages. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12042-216438.

Statuettes like the present one were used in the service of domestic cults and reflected native Greek or Roman cult practices. The Roman household shrine, or lararium, receives its name from the lares, the guardian spirits of the house and household, who were frequently displayed in the shrine, either in painted or sculpted form.

Formed as a cell with fluted rim, set with an irregular garnet cabochon, hook-and-eye fastening to the reverse. 1.02 grams, 12 mm



From the H.N. collection, Milton Keynes, Berkshire, UK, 1990s.