Roman Blue Glass and Other Bead Necklace String

Finely carved bust of Drusus, son of Emperor Tiberius; the hair shaped in a mop of short locks combed forward towards the brow; the features adolescent with soft lips and smooth skin; the nose chipped; mounted on a custom-made stand. 15.15 kg total, 35 cm high including stand



Previously mounted in an 18th-19th century bust. Private collection, Northern England, acquired in the 1980s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13361- 259006.

The facial features of the sculpture reveal the physiognomic characteristics of a Julio-Claudian prince; specifically, Drusus the Younger, supported by comparisons with coin portraits.

Hollow-formed with long neck, abundant thick hair and beard, broad mouth; probably intended to represent an emperor. 440 grams, 10 cm



Acquired by a Swiss family in the mid-1980s to late 1990s, thence by descent. Private collection, Switzerland, since the late 1990s.

The portrait seems to be a provincial bronze representing Hadrian, apparently aged around 30, recognisable from his incipient beard, moustache and distinctive physiognomy. However, the portrait is in an extremely provincial style, exemplified by the wide spacing of the eyes. The beard is lightly incised, and the highly stylised curls around the front of the head give way to simple incised locks on the back.

Modelled in the round with luxuriant hair and beard, bare-chested with a short kilt and belt; left arm extended straight and right arm bent upwards. 36.7 grams, 69 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Sucellos was the Gaulish strong-man deity, usually shown with a hammer in his raised hand and a pot in the other.