Roman Black Glass and Other Bead Necklace String

Modelled in the round with naturalistic detailing, standing on base with wings closed. 32 grams, 41 mm



‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.

With wide flat bottom decorated inside with incised concentric circles, the internal concave surface retaining some of the silver coating; the central umbilicus still visible. 860 grams, 22.8 cm wide



From the family collection of a Surrey gentleman since before 1960.

This vessel (lanx) was part of Roman and provincial bronze instrumentum domesticum, i.e. culinary or domestic utility ware. Such cooking vessels are rare in such condition: some are found in central and northern Gaul, Italy, in Pannonia, Germany and in Britain. Specimens of precious metal, richly decorated and chiselled, sometimes adorned with reliefs, are mentioned by ancient authors such as Cicero (Ad Att., VI,1,13) and Ovid (Pont.III,5,20).

Twisted in dark green colour with a black spiral band within, flattened plaque. 23.8 grams, 78 mm wide



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.