Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Bust of Minerva

An elongated finger with nail and skin-fold detailing, pierced through the base. 134 grams, 87 mm



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

A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 34.4 grams total, 14-21 mm



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

The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' refers to a four-sided shape. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term ‘token’ is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets.

Depicting a naked winged Cupid in a dynamic pose, right arm extended, left arm against the body, with the right leg extended backwards and the left leg firmly placed on the high pedestal, a dove or a torch might originally have been held in his hands; head modelled with well-sculpted facial details and straggly hair covering his ears, a top-knot at the top of his head at the end of a pair of braids; possibly once forming part of a larger group, probably centred around a statuette of Venus. 47.8 grams, 78 mm



Ex South London collection; acquired before 1980.