Roman Bronze Ring with Portrait

Formed as a square base with gusseted profile, a lion cub crouching on the upper face with one forepaw raised; open to the rear and underside; statuette or fitting. 108 grams, 53 mm



Acquired in the 1990s. Collection of a Suffolk, UK, gentleman.

Comprising a rock crystal cloison with intaglio scene of a winged kneeling male with outstretched arms receiving a winged baby from a seated winged female; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 3.42 grams, 21 mm



Ex property of a London gentleman; acquired by his father in the 1970s; thence by descent.

The bowl with a wide flat bottom and convex sides; the inside with incised concentric circles; flat handle with raised edges and hooked finial for suspension. 483 grams, 39.5 cm



German private collection, Mr O., collecting in the 1950s-1960s; thence by descent. with Bonhams, London, 7 July 2016, lot 191. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11735-201189.

This vessel was part of Roman and provincial bronze instrumentum domesticum, i.e. culinary or domestic utility ware. Such cooking vessels are rare: some are found in central and northern Italy, in Pannonia, Germany and in Britain. The Aylesford Pan, today in the British Museum (inventory no.1886.1112.1), is one of the most important finds. This specimen (Eggers type 130), probably pre-Caesarian or Caesarian, was found in a grave together with a Celtic bucket and a jug.