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LOT 0165
Roman Burnt Carnelian Gemstone with Mars and Minerva
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
1/2 in. (0.87 grams, 14 mm).
The oval intaglio with Mars Ultor and Minerva facing each other; Mars to the left with a spear in raised left hand, armed with helmet, armour and sword, his right hand resting on the shield beside him; Minerva to the right, wearing a helmet, shield and aegis.
ProvenanceAcquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s.
Important North West London collection.
Cf. very similar image of Mars in Platz-Horster, G., ‘Die antiken Gemmen aus Xanten. Teil III: Neufunde, Neuerwerbungen, Nachtrage und Auswertung,’ in Xantener Berichte, Band 15, Grabung-Forschung-Präsentation, Mainz, 2009, pp.129-182, p.155, cat.no.33.
FootnotesMars Ultor and Minerva were both linked with Roman war imagery. Mars represented military power, the strength of the army and violence in battle, Minerva strategy, tactics and intelligence in war. All these qualities were complementary and necessary to win the war. The gemstone was probably a gift for a soldier.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0165
Roman Burnt Carnelian Gemstone with Mars and Minerva
Estimate £800 - 1,000€930 - 1,160 (for guidance only)$1,080 - 1,350 (for guidance only)
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Roman Bronze Lower Part of a Right Foot
1st-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
With finely modelled anatomical details, the second toe longer to emphasise the physical perfection of the physique. 627 grams, 13 cm
Acquired in Europe before 2001. Private collection, Europe. -
Roman Gold Hercules Knot Ring with Beads
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
With slender wire shank formed into a knot for the bezel, blue glass seed beads to the shoulders and a gold collar with applied granule detailing. 0.99 grams, 17.07 mm overall, 15.75 mm internal diameter (approximate size British F 1/2, USA 3, Europe 4.3, Japan 4)
From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s. -
Roman Bronze Bracelet Group
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
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.
