Roman and Other Blue and Green Glass Bead Necklace String

Fragment from a hollow-formed monument comprising a left hand holding the base of a cross fleury with hexagonal cross-section; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 1.97 kg total, 32.6 cm high including stand



Ex Arthur Richter (1925-2018), California, USA. Private collection, England. 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 search certificate number no.13084-249671.

Here, the hand of what was once a colossal statue of a general or emperor brandishes an object that may be a cross, or the hilt of a commander's sword (parazonium). These monumental bronzes belong to the late period of the Empire, when the image of the victorious emperor or general was intended as propaganda demonstrating military strength, despite the Empire being surrounded by external enemies and devastated by internal strife.

Including a terracotta rim fragment with resting gryphon motif, and other items. 58 grams total, 37-90 mm



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

D-section hoop, elliptical in plan, with raised oval bezel set with a jasper intaglio engraved with inverted Greek inscription 'IXΘYC' (ichthys, meaning 'fish"), a Greek acronym for 'Jesus Christ, Son of God; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 9.18 grams, 21.91 mm overall, 18.68 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)



Private collector, acquired in the early 1990s. Private collection, England.

The term ichthys is the equivalent of the ancient Greek: ixθus, ichthýs ('fish'), used by early Christians to refer to Jesus Christ. For this reason, the fish symbol was very common in the catacombs of Rome. In particular, the ichthys is one of the oldest Christian symbols that has come down to us. Used covertly by Christians to mask their faith from Roman persecutors, when a Christian encountered a stranger whose loyalty he needed to know, he would draw one of the arches that make up the ichthys in the sand. If the stranger completed the sign, the two individuals recognised each other as followers of Christ. The symbol was also drawn on the doors of the houses of Christian families. Its use spread in the 3rd century to personal effects such as the ring offered here.