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LOT 0093
Roman Carnelian Bezel Fragment with Sphinx
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
5/8 in. (0.99 grams, 15 mm).
Once forming a part of a ring carved from a single piece of carnelian, polished and displaying the mythical creature advancing left on a groundline; accompanied by a museum-quality impression.
ProvenanceUK private collection before 2000.
UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0093
Roman Carnelian Bezel Fragment with Sphinx
Sold for (Inc. bp): £845
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Romano-British Bronze Adlocutio Type Repousse Brooch
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,340
Imitating Hadrian's sestertius adlocutio, the emperor with a companion (or Castor and Pollux) on horseback, one of the horsemen holding a round shield; arrayed legions in front of them wearing crested helmets, raised spears and quadrangular shields; legionary eagle in the foreground; the scene enclosed within a rope border; pin lugs and catchplate to the reverse. 12.9 grams, 33 mm
From a Cambridgeshire, UK, collection, 1990s. This brooch is an extreme rarity and is believed to be the finest known example. 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.11747-202502.
These brooches were a mystery until one was excavated at Wiggonholt, Sussex, together with three other damaged specimens now in the Devizes Museum, all from Wiltshire (more precisely Cold Kitchen Hill). The image of the original coin was slightly modified. The local craftsman improved the coin type making his brooch more interesting, transforming the Emperor Hadrian on horseback into two cavalrymen, probably the sacred Dioscuri, while the Roman Aquila, symbol of the legions, was taken from the top of the signa and placed in the foreground. -
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Roman Glass and Other Bead String
1st-3rd century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £52
A restrung designer necklace composed of graduated beads. 15.7 grams, 68 cm long
Fine condition.
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Roman Bronze Triclinium Finial Set
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £455
Comprising four bed finials, each with a bell-shaped body and baluster style finial; hollow to base. 1.18 kg total, 9.6-10.1 cm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
The Romans, like the Greeks, ate whilst reclined on beds. The eating bed (lectus triclinaris) was a luxury furniture item crafted by carpenters. From the 2nd century B.C., Romans started to create 'lecti aerati, inargentati, inaurati, eborati, testudinei,' i.e. beds made of wood and covered with bronze, silver, gold and ivory fittings or with scales of other precious material. Such elements were sometimes sculpted in the shape of an animal protome, or were simply bell-shaped, like our specimens.
