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LOT 0787
Roman Bronze Ring with Carnelian Gemstone
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
1 1/4 in. (14.98 grams, 31.48 mm overall, 20.16 x 14.75 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)).
With thick shank, broad plaque, inset carnelian gemstone of truncated conical profile, a marriage. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom a private Tyneside collection, formed since the early 2000s.
LiteratureCf. Ruseva-Slokoska, L., Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, item 241.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Roman or Gandharan Silver Cup
Circa late 1st century B.C.-early 1st century A.D.Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £750
Hemispherical in profile with rounded underside, thickened rim. 232 grams, 11.4 cm
Acquired from a private UK collection prior to 1979. Ex Julian Sherrier collection, a leading figure in Gandharan art. with Christie's, New York, sale 2337, 14th September 2010, no.41 (part). Accompanied by the original Christie's lot ticket. -
Roman Bronze Ring with Lion
2nd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
D-section hoop expanding at the shoulders, oval plaque bezel with a leaping lion facing left. 5.08 grams, 25.61 mm overall, 22.15 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)
Ex Norri collection, Milton Keynes, UK, 1980s-1990s. -
Roman Bronze Winged Eros
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13,000
Modelled in the round in kneeling pose, nude, with the fingers of his left hand spread across his bent knee, head turned to the right and slightly tilted upwards; two large dorsal wings spread; the face fleshy with small eyes and nose, the hair with a wreath of curls framing the face; attachment panel behind the shoulders; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 1.38 kg total, 19 cm wide
Ex F. Philips, Netherlands, before 1980s. with Jan Roelofs Antiquaries, Netherlands. Acquired on the European art market, 2023. Private collection, London. Accompanied by an academic report by Prof. Neritan Ceka. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12930-245218.
The image of the winged Eros held a special significance in Roman culture, embodying not only the god of love but also the elegance, refinement, and sophistication of the Classical tradition. His wings symbolised the fleeting nature of passion, while his youthful form carried connotations of vitality and beauty. To incorporate Eros into the decoration of luxury objects was to invoke divine favour and to align oneself with the cultivated ideals of the Graeco-Roman world. Bronzes of the 1st century A.D. represent the height of Roman metalworking, when elite households and sanctuaries commissioned works of remarkable artistry. Fittings such as this, finely cast and intended for a prestigious vessel, were both functional and symbolic: practical elements elevated to expressions of status and taste. Surviving examples are a testament to the technical mastery of Roman workshops and the desire of their patrons to surround themselves with imagery of the gods in even the smallest details of daily life.
