Roman Carnelian Figural Gemstone

Greenish-light blue glass, long and narrow body, splayed rim. 7.72 grams, 88 mm high



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

During the early Roman period the glass-making techniques used by the Greeks were continued. Much of the glass was buried and as a result acquired an attractive lustrous patination. Roman glass became a medium for the promotion of the emperor and imperial propaganda, as well as being used as container for various uses. Glass blowing, a new technique, meant that quantities of identical bottles could be produced.

The upper part of a Beneficiarius dedicatory spear or sceptre, comprising a circular-section shaft with an ivy leaf finial, a crescent (lunula) below and the point with triple acorn-shaped spheres; the lower end of the shaft square-section and with a rosette for attaching it to the wooden part, engraved with X-motifs and circumferential lines. 62 grams, 49 cm



Found Cambridgeshire, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

The beneficiarii, within the Roman army, were soldiers exempted from menial duties and acting as orderlies of senior officers; they were also charged with particular duties by governors and generals. Their distinctive insignia were decorated spears, often with a point shaped like an ivy leaf. The military stela from Perinth depicting a 3rd century beneficiarius shows a very similar spear, mounted over a particular structure on the midshaft of the spear.

From a small bow with high foot and scrolled strap handle. 26 grams, 78 mm



UK private collection. Found East Midlands, UK. Acquired from Alan Cherry at the Birmingham Coin Fair, 2006. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman. Accompanied by an illustrated identification card including provenance.