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LOT 0681
Roman Asclepius Gemstone in Gold Ring
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (4.99 grams, 23.32 mm overall, 16.68 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L 1/2, USA 6, Europe 11.87, Japan 11)).
A carnelian intaglio of Asclepius in a loosely draped himation with serpent coiled around his forearm, probably Asclepius the Greek god of healing; set into a later gold ring.
ProvenanceEx private East Coast, USA, collection.
with Artemis Gallery, Colorado, USA, 21 February 2017.
English private collection.
Accompanied by a copy of a certificate of authenticity from Artemis Gallery, dated 21 February 2017.
Asclepius was the Graeco-Roman god of medicine, healing, prophecy and a son of Apollo and Coronis. He had two daughters with Epione, the goddess of soothing- Hygeia (goddess of health) and Panacea (goddess of healing). As a child, Asclepius was given to the centaur Chiron, who raised him in the ways of the healing arts. During his training, Asclepius healed a snake, which in turn granted him secret knowledge. Asclepius became such a proficient healer that he discovered a way to resurrect the dead, for which Zeus had him killed, in order to maintain the balance of life on Earth, placing him on the night sky under the constellation of the Ophiuchus (the snake holder).
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Statuette of Attis
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A bronze figure of Attis standing wearing the distinctive Phrygian cap, advancing wearing a flounced tunic and cloak, holding a falx in the left hand; right arm absent; mounted on a custom-made stand. 117 grams total, 97 mm high including stand
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'The Uttoxeter' Roman Octagonal Rolling Dice
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,120
An octagonal bronze 'Stabwuerfel' rolling dice with rounded terminals, drilled dot numbering rotating the rod clockwise: 1; 4-4; 3; 5; 2; 7; 4; 6; an additional single dimple to the end face of one terminal; all numbers are drilled at the centre of the rod with the exception of the number 8, which is split into two groups of 4, located at either end. 58 grams, 54 mm
Found whilst searching with a metal detector rear North Uttoxeter, East Staffordshire, UK, on Saturday 11th March 2017, by Martin Colclough. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no. LANCUM-E6101C where it states: 'Stabwuerfel (germ. rod dice) are very rare in this country and this is the first one recorded on this database...This die will be marked a Find of Note for the area...and has been designated: Potential for inclusion in Britannia.'
The PAS report describes this find of note as being 'in extremely good condition'. The dots may once have had an enamel fill.