Roman Bronze Ring with Inscription

Swept in profile comprising a horizontal crescentic panel to attach to the rim, with inlaid silver detailing, recurved cobra-shaped thumb pad, raised serpent to the outer face of the tapering handle, finial a mask of Bacchus or Pan, facing with volute scrolls to the brow and thick splayed beard; silver diadem and eyes. 110 grams, 14.2 cm



Private collection. with Christie's, London, 11 June 1997, no.97 (part). with Bonhams, 13 April 2000, no.198. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's and Bonhams catalogue pages. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12529-232161.

These handles, which formed a leafy plant element and an S- or T-shaped animal at the top, were usually attached to the belly of the bronze vessel by a human head. In our example, the broad head of the mask, with its broad moustache and beard, characterized by abundant hair, seems to hark back to the iconography of the Sileni or Pan.

Modelled in the round with an elongated body and legs, right foreleg raised, head turned slightly to the right, a stamped ring-and-dot collar around the neck and eyes indicated by ring-and-dot motifs. 27.44 grams, 49 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

Comprising three gladius pendants, each with a domed pommel and pierced through the blade. 15.58 grams total, 26-35 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.