Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Aesculapius

Cruciform in plan with trefoil finial to each arm, punched-point border and median line, applied bone disc to each lateral arm and a larger one in a recessed cell to the centre pin-lugs, pin and catch to reverse. 5.7 grams, 39 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

With a palla drawn up over her hair, stepped at the rear to indicate a chignon; soft, youthful facial features with fleshy cheeks and a rounded jawline; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.47 kg total, 18.5 cm including stand



with Gorny & Mosch, Munich, 21 June 2005, no.344. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Gorny & Mosch catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13198-250132.

The head comes from a statue that most likely represented a matronly deity, Demeter or Hestia/Vesta, the goddess protector of the home hearth. The latter seems the most likely, as she was usually depicted (as in the Hestia Iustiniani, a prototype often replicated in the Roman era) with a covered head (velato capite), a symbol of modesty and marital virtue for the Roman matron.

A small figure of a resting dog with its head resting on its front paws, fur detailing on the body; mounted on a wooden display stand. 10.5 grams total, dog: 24.8 mm long



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.