Roman Banded Agate 'Eye' Pendant Inlay

Depicted as a standing nude female figure with hair dressed in a chignon, left hand clasped to the chest, and right arm bent; mounted on a tiered display stand. 448 grams total, 17.4 cm including stand



Acquired in the late 1980s. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12862-241687.

The girl is depicted in the act of girding her chest with a fascia, similar to the one illustrated in the famous mosaics of Piazza Armerina, where the band is worn together with a subligaculum that covers her lower parts. It is modelled after a real two-piece bath costume of the ancient Romans.

Early type with lemon-shaped knop above the square-section crossbar, facetted bow with impressed triangles to the outer edge and faceted knop finials, D-section footplate with lateral chamfered edges and catchplate to reverse, hinged pin behind the crossbar. 23.7 grams, 68 mm



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

Plano-convex in section with incuse bust of Minerva wearing a Corinthian-style crested helmet; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.48 grams, 11 mm



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