Roman Blue Glass and Other Mixed Bead Group

Modelled in relief with openwork elements, stylised detailing to both figures; hollow reverse. 182 grams, 10.2 cm high



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

Hollow cast bronze images of Eros riding a lion are linked to the Eastern Levant and have been found for example in Tamna, probably a Roman import. The importance of the long-distance contacts within the Eastern Mediterranean areas was rapidly reflected in provincial artistic styles, probably as soon as in Hellenistic times, at the beginning of the third century B.C., possibly even earlier. The unquestionable Greek influence led a number of scholars to define three main styles for the bronzes discovered in the eastern Roman provinces: a local type and iconography locally produced, Greek or Roman imports, and Oriental, Hellenistic, or Roman style, locally produced.

Formed as a foot-in-shoe, incised leaf or geometric motif to base; suspension loop to top of ankle. 31.6 grams, 41 mm



UK collection, early 1990s and before. Acquired on the UK art market since the early 2000s. From a private collection, Lancashire, UK.

Complete with pin and catchplate (chipped) to reverse; the bird advancing left with head turned backwards, tail modelled in the round, feather detailing to the wing, annular eye. 12.3 grams, 46 mm



Ex John Hayward collection, exhibited at Ipswich museum.