Roman Black Glass and Other Bead Necklace String

Composed of a convex hoop with expanding angled shoulders, oval bezel set with carnelian cameo gemstone carved with the head and face of Eros with pinched features and centrally-parted hair; a marriage. 7.09 grams, 21.79 mm overall, 17.87 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H 1/2, USA 4, Europe 6.81, Japan 6)



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

This ring belongs to the typology of gold rings with gem (Type II, Variant I) of Ruseva-Slokoska classification.

Standing nude with vine-leaf wreath on the brow, muscular physique, dressed beard and stern facial expression, holding a bunch of grapes in the left hand; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 104 grams, 65 mm high (127 grams total, 71 mm high including stand)



Private Swiss collection, acquired 2001. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11621-199008.

Silenus was closely associated with the Dionysian cult. He was a deity associated with the forest, wine, drunkenness, the treading-dance of the wine press as an orgiastic ritual. While intoxicated, Silenus was believed to possess the power of prophecy. He helped raise the god Dionysus, son of Zeus, after he was entrusted to him by Hermes. Once, while travelling with Dionysus through Phrygia, Silenus was captured by King Midas who treated his captive hospitably. As a reward, Dionysus granted the king his famous 'golden touch'. The sacred animal of Silenus is the donkey, the mode of transport he often used according to Greek mythology.

With horizontal banding to the lower body, high-relief moulded vine and grape decoration to the shoulder, loop handle and raised rim; rare. 211 grams, 11.5 cm wide



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.