Roman Bronze Seal Box with Phallus

Fragment of dark blue glass with applied gold-foil decoration: figural scene above a band of running scrolls; Greek script legend 'ЄΜΟΡΟΟΥ[...]'. 2.19 grams, 25 mm



From a European collection, 1970s.

The fragment has a shallow curvature as if it was once part of a large drinking vessel. The Greek text 'εμορο ογ' appears to be derived from the verb εἵμαρται 'to be fatal' or 'to be destined by fate', so '[it was] not fatal'.

Group of three gold pendants comprising: two formed as a cluster of granules with three lobes, larger granule to each apex and coiled wire suspension; one of similar profile, larger with filigree lines and coils to both faces, trumpet-shaped finial with loop; repaired; housed in a custom-made display case. 8.83 grams total, 24-32 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection. 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.11934-210479.

Typologically related earrings were particularly common in the Caucasus, where they have been dated by archaeologists to the first centuries A.D. This was a product of Hellenised workers of the area of Pontus or Asia Minor, mainly, and the material culture of the Greek cities of the North Pontus region was completely absorbed by their new Roman rulers and largely diffused in style and orientation in the Eastern Roman provinces.

Beaker or lamp with convex wall and convex everted rim; applied blue glass ovals and clusters of stippled dots around the shoulder; iridescent surfaces. 100 grams, 88 mm wide

Fine condition.

Paris collection, 1990s. From an important Paris gallery, France. Ex private Parisian collection.