Roman Bronze Phallic Pendant

With a hollow-form hoop expanding at the shoulders, raised bezel set with a dark blue nicolo intaglio engraved with a pair of birds, one standing and the other stooped to pick something from the ground with its beak. 5.75 grams, 25.12 mm overall, 14.69 x 18.30 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J, USA 4 3/4, Europe 8.69, Japan 8)



From the collection of late AB, London, UK, 1990s. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.

The type of ring (type II, variant I of Ruseva-Slokoska classification) is characterised by the ellipsoid hoop, rounded on the outside, widening to a horizontal triangular shape. The nicolo was often employed in rings of the 2nd-3rd century A.D.

Assorted old blue glass beads restrung to a Y-shape with a crescentic-shaped pendant. 16.1 grams, 50 cm long



UK gallery, early 2000s.

The mass production of glass in Ancient Rome prompted the development of glass jewellery of unique qualities. The ancient Romans considered jewellery to be an essential accessory, being a public display of the wealth of high social classes. Roman jewellery at first followed trends set by the Etruscans, using gold and glass beads, but as the power and spread of the Roman Empire increased, jewellery designs became increasingly elaborate, incorporating elements from different cultural styles.

The hoop formed with dolphin-head shoulders supporting an openwork tiered bezel with four outward-facing dolphins on a disc, their tails joining to form a tube with inset garnet cloison; possibly originally a key-ring with the tune forming a mandrel. 7.13 grams, 31.06 mm overall, 19.89 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)



Ex Cotswold collection, UK, 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of a statement of opinion from Striptwist Ltd, a London-based company run by precious metal specialist Dr Jack Ogden, reference number 221202.