Roman Black Gemstone with Erotic Scene

Carved in the half-round on a sapphire crystal showing striations on the reverse, depicting the upper body of Serapis/St John with modius and pleated tunic, eagle with spread wings placed on the chest. 5.06 grams, 23 mm



Acquired circa 1980. Property of a Middlesex gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13351-255640.

This is a prime example of late antique or early medieval spolia, where a pagan motif was converted into a Christian one with minimal mental or manual adaptation into a visual fusion of Serapis and Saint John. During the Roman Empire, especially in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, depictions of the 'bust of the God Serapis standing on an eagle' were extremely popular. The eagle symbolised Jupiter-Serapis, as well as Roman power. When the Empire became Christian, this combination was immediately recognised as the Evangelist John, accompanied by his symbol, the eagle. The modius (kalathos) symbolised fertility and dominion over the underworld when placed on Serapis's head. However, it was often incorrectly (or deliberately) interpreted by Christian observers as an early form of a crown, halo, or priestly headdress. As sapphire is extremely difficult to work with, the modius was often left standing, emphasising the figure's imperial or divine dignity. There are documented cases of this kind. Most famous example: 'Gem of Serapis' (Cab. Méd., Paris), or the reinterpretation of depictions of Jupiter as God the Father. During the Christianisation process, pagan gods with beards and eagles (Jupiter/Serapis) were reclassified as John the Evangelist or Christ himself en masse.

Rectangular pendant with two loops on the upper edge with Greek inscriptions referring to the archangels, one side with the inscription 'PAΦAHΛ', (Raphael); the other side with reversed inscription reading 'ΓABPHIΛ' (Gabriel); repair to one loop. 4.97 grams, 27 mm



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

Composed mainly of oblate beads with a larger bead as a central feature, restrung. 8.1 grams, 44.7 cm



Acquired in the 1990s. Ex London, UK, collection.