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LOT 0167
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Asclepius
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
1/2 in. (0.69 grams, 12 mm).
The oval intaglio engraved with Asclepius standing with head turned to the right, naked upper body, himation draped around his lower body, holding a caduceus with his right hand.
ProvenanceAcquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s.
Important North West London collection.
Cf. for similar Nardelli, B., 'Late Roman Gems from Tilurium in Croatia' in Entwistle, C., Adams, N., Gems of Heaven, recent research on engraved Gemstones in Late Antiquity, c. AD 200-600, London, 2011, pp.130-134, pl.3.
FootnotesAesclepius (Latin Esculapius) was the god of the health and protector of doctors. The serpent‐wreathed rod is well detailed, a rendition which finds a direct parallel in a carnelian intaglio in Carnuntum, Austria.
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LOT 0167
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Asclepius
Estimate £600 - 800€700 - 930 (for guidance only)$810 - 1,080 (for guidance only)
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Roman Chalcedony Gemstone with Aphrodite Kallipygos
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
The goddess seen from behind, drapery around her legs, resting her left hand on a column and holding up an object in her right hand. 0.84 grams, 12 mm
Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.
The famous statue of Aphrodite Kallipygos, the model for this gemstone, recalls a story reported in the Deipnosophists of Athenaeus regarding the foundation of a temple to her in ancient Syracuse. According to Athenaeus, two beautiful sisters from a farm near Syracuse quarrelled over which of them had the most shapely buttocks, and approached a young passer-by to judge. They showed themselves to the traveller, the son of a rich man, and he voted for the older sister. Later, he fell in love with her and fell ill with lovesickness. Upon learning of what had happened, the man's younger brother went to see the girls and fell in love with the younger sister. Consequently the brothers refused to consider any other brides forcing the father to arrange for the sisters to come and marry them. The townspeople nicknamed the sisters ‘Kallipygoi’ (‘Women with Beautiful Behinds’) and the young men, with their newfound prosperity, dedicated a temple to Aphrodite, naming her ‘Kallipygos’. -
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Mars
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
With standing helmetted figure with spear and shield; in bronze ring bezel mount. 1.89 grams total, 13-18 mm
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016. -
Roman Samian Ware Dish Fragments one with Ancient Repairs
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
One base and side wall, one base, each with sections of the foot; exhibiting examples of lead repairs. 128 grams total, 8-12.7 cm
Found Bedfordhire, 1980s. Property of a Kempston, UK gentleman. Accompanied by a copy of a letter from Peter Spencer dated 9 December 1980.
