Roman Bronze Tortoise Figure

With facetted shoulders, D-shaped cell enclosing a carved Medusa bust modelled in the round. 5.83 grams, 22.07 mm overall, 17.23 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H 1/2, USA 4, Europe 6.81, Japan 6)



From the collection of a Cambridge lady, 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11863-207049.

Engraved with two bulls lying side by side, one with the head in profile, the other facing, tree to the field. 0.62 grams, 11 mm



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

The iconography of two bulls derives already from Achaean models, like the black onyx example in the Metropolitan Museum (Richter, 1920, pl.2,no.3). The model was inherited by the classical world, and inherited from the Greeks by the Romans (Furtwängler mentions gemstones in carnelian, nos.5547-5548-5549 at the Berlin Museum).

Comprising three flat-section bracelets with overlapping rounded terminals. 41 grams total, 61-68 mm



From the family collection of a Surrey gentleman since before 1960.

Bracelets were worn in Rome by ladies of rank, but it was considered a mark of effeminacy for civilian men to use such female ornaments (Suetonius, Caligula, 52; Nero, 30). The armillae (or psellia in Greek) were rings and bracelets worn by women in the Graeco-Roman world on both legs and arms. Homer mentions them (elikas) as being part of the hairstyle of the divine Aphrodite, thus giving an almost sacred character to these objects. There were different types, the most common consisting of a more or less thick metal wire, or a flat or cylindrical circle, like our examples.