Roman Bronze Artefact Collection

Discoid pendant with cell, inset cabochon garnet, integral loop above. 0.15 grams, 9 mm



From the collection of a late Japanese collector, 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The object reflect Late Antique/Early Eastern Roman decorative and manufacturing traditions. Flat garnet plates originate with one class of ring-stone intaglios from the Late Hellenistic and Imperial Roman periods, but developed especially in the 4th-6th century, where they preserved the Romano-Greco traditions with the influence of Sassanian and Pontic peoples. They were used for jewellery, weaponry and decorative expensive objects.

Restrung group including tabular, annular, ribbed tubular and other types. 10.05 grams, 28 cm



Acquired on the London art market in the late 1980s-1990s. From the family collection of an East London, UK, gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Group of three gold pendants comprising: two formed as a cluster of granules with three lobes, larger granule to each apex and coiled wire suspension; one of similar profile, larger with filigree lines and coils to both faces, trumpet-shaped finial with loop; two repaired; housed in a custom-made display case. 8.83 grams total, 24-32 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12812-241415. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Typologically related earrings were particularly common in the Caucasus, where they have been dated by archaeologists to the first centuries A.D. This was mainly a product of Hellenised workers of the area of Pontus or Asia Minor, and the material culture of the Greek cities of the North Pontus region was completely absorbed by their new Roman rulers and largely diffused in style and orientation in the Eastern Roman provinces.