Roman Carnelian Bezel Fragment with Sphinx

Of piriform shape with everted rim, gently chamfered upper lip and concave underside; lid with bevelled rim, gently dished upper face rising to a central dome and cylindrical handle with piecrust pleats; iridescent surfaces. 831 grams total, 29.5 cm high



Ex Sangiorgi collection, acquired in the 19th century. with Christie's, 3 June 1999, lot 121. The remains of a 19th/early 20th century label can be seen on the glass on one side. with Christie's, New York, 9 December 1999, lot 476. American private collection, Westchester, New York, acquired in 1999. with Bonhams, London, 30 September 2015, lot 91. 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 no.203222.

A similar jar in the British Museum was found in Warwick Square, London, inside a lead canister, and was originally filled with bone ashes. The Romans often re-used glass jars, originally made for storing liquids and foodstuffs, as cremation vessels, but this kind of jar seems too fragile and was therefore probably purpose-made. The lead canister, which was found with the jar from London, protected the glass and bones. Georgio Sangiorgi is one of the most famous names associated with the field of ancient glass collecting. Working from the Galleria Sangiorgi in the Palazzo Borghese, Sangiorgi acquired the most magnificent collection of ancient glass, seeking only the finest examples.

Each formed as a figure-of-eight-shaped plaque with beaded edge and central bridge, bronze reinforcement to the reverse and ferrous attachment pin. 71.3 grams total, 15-15.2 cm

Fine condition, edge chipped.

Acquired on the European art market in the 1990s. Ex property of a Suffolk collector.

Composed mainly of polychrome glass, faience, lapis lazuli and other beads of various sizes and types, including tubular, annular, spherical, ribbed and other types. 67 grams total, 2-68 mm



Ex W.J. collection, 1990s.