Roman Aqua Glass Jug

The naturalistic rendering of the animal is particularly evident in the modelling of the muscles and shaggy fur, which originally belonged to a multi-figure group intended for prominent display in an official space, such as a public bath, or in the private gardens of a luxurious villa; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 155 kg, 89 cm (long), 41 cm (high) excluding stand



Acquired in Brussels, circa 1980. with Christie's, South Kensington, 6 October 2011, no.121. Jean-David Cahn AG, Basel, Switzerland. Private collection, England. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate, no.S00074876. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13079-249669.

The sculpture may represent the goat Amalthea, nurse of Zeus, one of the most famous animals in Graeco-Roman mythology. At the same time, it could simply be a representation of a ram, an animal typically sculpted in sacrificial reliefs of the Roman world.

Formed as a seated elderly woman with a short neck and handle with deep decorative ridges, stylised detailing to the face and hair tied in a bun, wine-jug (lagynos) gripped in her arms and between her knees, detailing to folds of garments; her pierced ears were likely once adorned with earrings. 345 grams, 17 cm



Acquired 1980s. Ex B Lee North collection. Accompanied by a positive thermoluminescence analysis report, sample no.N122e54 from Oxford Authentication. 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 a search certificate no.11312-188595.

The motif of an old, drunken woman corresponds to a well-known Hellenistic repertoire. These jugs were produced in Africa and were widespread within the Empire. Recent analysis carried out on a North African bottle of the drink ‘anus’, found in an exceptional state of preservation in Valencia, concluded that the vessel contained a resin from the Pinocea family intended to waterproof the vessel, which probably contained vegetable oil.

Plano-convex in section with advancing winged and horned beast, Pahlavi legend to the border; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.32 grams, 10 mm



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

Fanciful combinations of various human and animal heads, sometimes with the addition of other elements, are generally called grylloi. These fantastic devices were more than mere artists' fancies and were worn by the ancient Romans and others for their supposed efficacy in averting the evil eye.