Roman Bronze Mercury Statuette

Cuboid with ring-and-dot markings disposed 1:6, 2:5, 3:4. 2.9 grams, 11 mm



Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, 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.

Cuboid with incised ring-and-dot motifs disposed 1:6, 2:5, 3:4. 9.15 grams, 16 mm



Private collection of Contessa L.J., since the 1980s. Private collection, acquired in 2001. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.