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LOT 0745
Roman Artefact Group
CIRCA 1ST-5TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/4 - 3 5/8 in. (150 grams total, 33-92 mm).
A trio of artefacts comprising: a Roman copper-alloy coin, likely a sestertius, with worn designs to obverse and reverse, the reverse likely portraying the goddess Minerva leaning on a shield and wearing a helmet; a stone loom weight of conoid form, dated c.100 A.D. and discovered in Egypt; a Roman ceramic oil lamp dated c.500 A.D., piriform in plan with raised borders to the central opening and nozzle, decorative ribbing to the shoulder, conical handle and basal ring. [3, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom an old UK collection.
From the private collection of Alf Baxendale (1941-2016) part 2, keen Egyptologist, member of the Egyptology Society, trustee of the Amarna Trust; thence by descent.
Accompanied by two identification display cards.
Accompanied by a copy of his obituary published in Horizon, The Amarna Project and Amarna Trust newsletter, Issue 18, 2017, p.21, by Barry John Kemp, CBE, FBA, Professor Emeritus of Egyptology at the University of Cambridge and directing excavations at Amarna in Egypt.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman and Other Ring Collection
Early 1st millennium A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £338
A mixed group of copper-alloy finger rings of various types, each bearing an incuse design to the bezel: a stylised bird; a cross; a stylised fish; a geometric motif and possible horse and rider. 25 grams total, 20-25 mm
Early 1990s London collection. Acquired on the UK art market. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK. -
Roman Epigraphic Gemstone with Head of Zeus Serapis
3rd-4th century A.D.or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £468
A gemstone with one side incised with the head of Zeus Serapis wearing a modius crown, seen in profile to the left, surrounded by Greek letters I,Λ,φ, ν, Λ,Λ,Ϲ,Ϲ,Ε,Δ; the other side with enigmatic inscription 'BIKIω PIΗΔνMΗ IΔ φI ΛA'. 0.86 grams, 12 mm
Acquired before 1988. Ex family collection, by descent, Geneva.
Serapis was a Graeco-Egyptian god, whose cult was popularised during the 3rd century B.C. on the orders of Ptolemy I of Egypt, to facilitate the religious syncretism of his kingdom. During the Roman Empire his image was widely diffused in the east. Usually a third of these gems carry magical words which shows that they were used as amulets or for some other ritual purpose. These magical gems were inscribed with acclamations or prayers that suggest they were used as amulets for protection (in this case of Serapis) or to acquire charm, but only some of them can be linked with some divinatory or prophylactic purpose. -
Roman Gold Ring with Cult of Jupiter Dolichenus Bull Gemstone
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,105
A solid, smooth gold ring with D-shaped hoop, oval carnelian intaglio with a bull surmounted by a star; repaired. 4.41 grams, 26.31 mm overall, 18.49 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)
repaired
Acquired 1970-2000s. Ex Abelita family collection.
The bull, symbol of thunder and fertility, was an important component of the cult of Jupiter Dolichenus, to which this ring is probably connected. The god is usually represented as standing on a bull holding an axe in his upraised right hand and a bolt of lightning in the left. This bull perpetuated the connection with storms, a frequent and rather obvious identification of power and ferocity. This was a Hittite concept inherited from the Anatolians and then by the Romans.
