Roman Artefact Group

Tiered disc bezel with central gammadion within a ring, surrounded by '+F+E+L+I+X' legend (in Latin, 'happy' or 'fortunate'). 8.11 grams, 24.40 mm overall, 18.18 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.

The ring was probably a gift to wish happiness and good luck, the inscription being a short form of 'utere felix'.

A Roman North African terracotta oil lamp with grooved ring handle; discus decorated with the mythological scene depicting Leda and the swan embracing. 77 grams, 10.3 cm



Dr Suzanne Gozlan, thence by descent. Suzanne Gozlan (1921-2022), a doctor of History and Archaeology, served as a professor at the Ecole Normale d'Instituteurs de Chartres and lectured at the University of Paris 4 Sorbonne. Property of a Bristol, UK, gentleman.

In Greek mythology, Leda was the wife of King Tyndareus and queen of Sparta. According to the myth, Zeus, the king of the gods, was captivated by Leda's beauty and appeared before her in the form of a swan. He then either raped or seduced her and impregnated her. The same night, Leda slept with her husband who also impregnated her, as a result of these two unions she laid two eggs, each containing one set of twins. According to later Greek mythology Leda bore Helen (of Troy) and Polydeuces, children of Zeus, while at the same time bearing Castor and Clytemnestra, children of her husband.

Ellipsoid with intaglio nude female flanked by serpents; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.41 grams, 25 mm



From the glyptic collection of Mr X; thence by descent. Acquired Hotel des Ventes, Drouot, Eve SVV, Paris, France, 28 June 2017, no.156 (Part). Property of a French collector.