Roman and Other 'Colchester' Pottery Collection

The coin from the House of Constantine mounted on 22 carat gold foil, framed with an art print signed by the artist David McAllister, depicting scenes of Roman military activity; limited edition number 166/1150. 1.26 kg, 49.5 x 37.5 cm



UK gallery, early 2000s. Accompanied by a previous numbered certificate of authenticity.

David McAllister's exciting design is a 'one of a kind' work that portrays the might and riches of the Roman civilisation. This limited edition print is a celebration of the award-winning artist's lifetime dedication to historical paintings of the ancient world. To enhance appreciation of this rare and historic work, each print is signed and numbered by the artist.

Fragments of wall plaster with rendered surface painted with mainly Pompeii red, pale blue, brown and cream detailing; some with an impression of timber laths to the reverse. 1.21 kg total, 7.2-14.7 cm



Acquired in the 19th century. Ex Jeger collection, Switzerland. UK gallery, early 2000s.

These small fragments, by analogy with the fragments of Pompeii, seem to belong to the second style of Roman painting - red panels representing highlight and shadow, decorated with vegetal interlaces. A red grenade fillet probably framed some panels. A fragment shows alternate blue and red colours over a cream background, maybe pertinent to a socle.

Depicted kneeling on his right knee, his left hand resting on his left knee, his right arm raised to support the water jar on his shoulders, shown wearing a Phrygian cap over his curling hair, dressed in a belted tunic falling in thick folds, the lower drapery stretched over the knees, and strapping on the legs, with a long cloak over the top, pinned at his right shoulder and falling down his back, set on an integral base. 39.45 kg, 59.7 cm



Ex private collection, Europe. Ex Australian collection, 1960s. On loan to La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, 1981-1986. Bonhams, London, 28 April 2010, no.139. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by a printed copy of the Spanish cultural export licence no.1775-3178156. Accompanied by a copy of the Graham Geddes, Antiques & Antiquities invoice, 17 April 2007. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate, no.2709AM. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Bonhams 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 search certificate no. 10272-168595.

The image of the subjected foreigner (‘barbarian’) became particularly prevalent in the late 1st and early 2nd centuries A.D. as a reflection of increased Roman expansion and part of an iconography of empire and triumph. The clean-shaven face of this figure indicates that it represents a so-called 'Oriental', i.e., a Persian, instead of a bearded European.