Roman and Other Black Glass Bead Necklace String

Modelled in the round nude and and raising her right arm, holding the neck of the swan (her animal attribute); left arm descending towards her pubis, legs in contrapposto stance; gusseted drum-shaped base; repaired. 327 grams, 19.5 cm



Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12099-218223.

Although the presence of the swan in this position is rather rare, iconographically, this image is part of the abundant series of statuettes of Aphrodite/Venus widely distributed during the Roman Imperial era.

Comprising a slender hoop and a raised lentoid-shaped bezel with a standing bird, probably a dove. 3.98 grams, 24.21 mm overall, 19.16 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)



Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

A considerable proportion of rings of the Late Roman Christian Empire are signets, with portraits, names or monograms, and emblems such as the cross, the fish, the dove, i.e. early Christian symbols, and most of these have the designs cut in a metal bezel.

With low conical body and slightly convex wall, dimple base; tall cylindrical neck flaring to mouth with inward-folded rim; slightly iridescent surface. 37.2 grams, 13.6 cm



Ex P. Martens, The Netherlands, formed between 1974-1984. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00075481.