Roman and Other Glass Bead Necklace

Modelled in advancing pose with one foreleg raised and tail looped over onto the rump, head erect with suggestion of an ornamental plate or garland on the brow; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 227 grams total, 86 mm high including stand



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

After the Roman annexation of Egypt, Egyptian cults such as that of the Apis bull were syncretised, becoming part of a distinctively Egyptian form of Roman polytheism. Representations of prancing Apis bulls, turned either left or right, have been found throughout the Roman Empire.

Two fragments of burnished ceramic bowl, the larger with label reading 'Roman Samian / Moorgate Court / London / March 1928'; the smaller ''Roman Samian / from Moorgate St. London / Jan. 1930'. 115 grams total, 4.9-10 cm



Found Moorgate, London, UK, 1928-1930. From the collection of a late East Anglian teacher and antiquarian who retired to the Isle of Wight in Hampshire, UK. He amassed a large collection of objects between the 1960s-1980s.

Fragments of wall plaster with rendered surface painted red with white detailing to the edge; impression of timber laths to the reverse. 598 grams total, 66-98 mm



Acquired in the 19th century. Ex Jeger collection, Switzerland.

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