Roman Bone Pyxis with Lion Heads

Decorated with stamped patterns including dolphins, gorgoneion, sphinx, floral patterns, motifs with ivy leaves and vertical columns dividing the field into panels. 33.2 kg, 1.72 m



Acquired 1970s-early 1990s. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.

There were many ways of burying bodies during the Roman Empire. Although the majority were buried without coffins, there is evidence for wooden coffins, lead-framed wooden coffins, tile burials and lead and stone coffins. This item belongs to types widespread in the Eastern Mediterranean. The panel is decorated with a columned structure, and within each section are symbols of the outer-world, including gorgons, sphinx and dolphins. The sphinx, having a human head and breasts, legs and paws of a lion, and wings of a bird, was generally associated with protecting imperial tombs and temples. The roundels featuring the head of Medusa, known for her potent gazes that could turn one to stone, was favoured on sarcophagi and architectural ornaments because it was believed that her image would protect those within. The dolphin was considered to ferry the souls of the dead to the afterlife. Very often these sarcophagi were connected by a pipe to the ground above so that mourners could pour offerings into the grave.

Ellipsoid with intaglio nude female flanked by serpents; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.41 grams, 25 mm



From the glyptic collection of Mr X; thence by descent. Acquired Hotel des Ventes, Drouot, Eve SVV, Paris, France, 28 June 2017, no.156 (Part). Property of a French collector.

Restrung designer group of graduated seed beads, oblate, biconvex and other types, the centrepiece a polyhedral bead. 15.7 grams, 41 cm



Acquired on the London, UK, art market in the 1990s. Ex London, UK, gallery.