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_900x900.jpg "Roman Carnelian Gemstone of the God Serapis")
_200x200.jpg "Roman Carnelian Gemstone of the God Serapis")
.jpg "Roman Carnelian Gemstone of the God Serapis")
LOT 0001
Roman Carnelian Gemstone of the God Serapis
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
1/2 in. (0.47 grams, 14 mm).
Orangey-red intaglio with a concave front and flat back, depicting the three-quarter bust of Serapis; displaying a tightly curled beard, shoulder-length wavy hair with a central parting brushed up from the forehead, wearing the characteristic calathus (woven basket or corn-measure) headgear, symbolising fertility; supplied with a museum-quality impression.
ProvenancePrivate English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s.
Private collection, London, UK.
Cf. Spier, J., Ancient Gems and Finger Rings, J. Paul Getty Museum Catalogue, Malibu, 1992, p.108, no.276, for a similar three-quarter depiction in agate; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston inv. no.13.243, for a similar carnelian example.
FootnotesSerapis was a Graeco-Egyptian god combining the Egyptian gods Osiris and Apis, but with a decidedly Greek appearance. He was promoted by Ptolemy I in the 3rd century BC to help unite the Greek and Egyptian people. Later, Ptolemaic rulers spread his worship, and Serapis became popular across the Roman Empire. Outside Egypt, he was often identified as Isis's partner, replacing Osiris. Over time, he also adopted traits associated with the Greek gods, Hades and Dionysus.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Large Roman Bronze Robed Torso
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Estimate: £30,000 - 40,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £16,667
Likely representing Harpocrates, depicted frontally and wearing a draped full-length himation, the right arm raised and left arm bent at the elbow; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 7.55 kg total, 53.5 cm high including stand
Private collection, Hong Kong, acquired in the 1970s. Spanish art market. Acquired by the present owner from the above. 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 a search certificate number no.13040-248071.
The body of this statue was hollow-cast by the lost wax method; traces of solder within the arm sockets and around the neck indicate that the arms and head were cast separately. The position of the body and comparative images suggest the statue represents Harpocrates. Harpocrates, the son of Isis and Horus, was one of the most represented children, especially after the diffusion of his cult into the Roman Empire. He is usually depicted naked, but draped figures of the god were produced in the Hellenised east and spread throughout the Empire. Statues of Harpocrates were at the entrance of almost all temples, to indicate that in those places the gods should have been honoured with silence, or, according to Plutarch, men who had an imperfect knowledge of the divinity should only speak of it with respect. -
Roman Bronze Miniature Herm Statuette
1st-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £180 - 240 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £90
With stepped domed base, the shank square in section and tapering with helmetted head, stub arms, chevron hatching to the chest and male genitals. 33 grams, 56 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. -
Roman Bronze Military Buckle with Dog
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
An openwork D-shaped buckle with plate formed as a standing figure of a dog; accompanied by a handwritten note 'Roman Military. Bronze female baldrick mount surrmounted with a running hound. 3rd-4th cent. A.D. Rare.' 9.03 grams, 34 mm
Ex property of an Essex, UK, gentleman collector. From the private collection of a Colchester, UK, gentleman.
