Roman and Other Glass Bead Necklace String

With mould-blown tubular body decorated with raised ribs to the shoulder and impressed honeycomb effect to the sidewall, pontil base; milky patination and iridescent surface. 58 grams, 11cm



From a London, UK, collection of glass, 1970-2000s.

Discoid with chamfered edge, standing youth on a baseline with patera in one hand, sword at his hip, enigmatic legend above 'HICAPH[.]K'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 3 grams, 20 mm



Acquired in 1994. Private collection, 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.12867-241734.

Orangey-red intaglio with a concave front and flat back, depicting the three-quarter bust of Serapis; displaying a tightly curled beard, shoulder-length wavy hair with a central parting brushed up from the forehead, wearing the characteristic calathus (woven basket or corn-measure) headgear, symbolising fertility; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.47 grams, 14 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

Serapis was a Graeco-Egyptian god combining the Egyptian gods Osiris and Apis, but with a decidedly Greek appearance. He was promoted by Ptolemy I in the 3rd century BC to help unite the Greek and Egyptian people. Later, Ptolemaic rulers spread his worship, and Serapis became popular across the Roman Empire. Outside Egypt, he was often identified as Isis's partner, replacing Osiris. Over time, he also adopted traits associated with the Greek gods, Hades and Dionysus.