Roman Bronze Ring with Portrait

From the upper part of the vessel, displaying a frieze of profile busts and figural scenes within roundels, winged Victory holding a wreath and standing on globe between the roundels; the central roundel with Sol Invictus and a sun chariot. 155 grams, 18.5 cm



Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

This terra sigillata fragment appears to have been part of a large tray, celebrating the imperial triumph of an early 4th century emperor, possibly Constantine or a member of his family such as Crispus. The combination of triumphal symbols (palms, quadriga, radiated crown) with imperial figures is typical of the tetrarchy and early Constantinian era, where elements of dying paganism were still used to celebrate imperial glory. Note the detailed late Roman clothing, with a closed chlamys-paludamentum on the right shoulder and, in the profile figure, a thorax with hemispherical shoulder protections.

Modelled in an attack pose with semi-naturalistic anatomical and shaggy hair detailing. 61 grams, 62 mm



‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.

Composed of an annular hoop with convex outer face; held in a jewellery presentation box. 9.4 grams, 64 mm wide



From the private collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK, thence by descent.