Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Faun

Rectangular fragment from the lip of a large plate depicting an exotic fish with a sail-like dorsal fin and open jaws. 1.34 grams, 48 mm



Ex P. Chapman collection, 1980s-1990s.

Comprising a biconvex body with applied basal ring, tubular neck with carinated rim, ribbed strap handle to the rear. 196 grams, 12.6 cm



From the collection of the late Bernard C. Pickard, Hampshire, UK, the owner of Bernard C. Pickard Antiquities, which closed in 1987, he had been collecting since the mid 1950s.

Bernard Pickard was a close friend of Richard Hattatt, the renowned author of several books on ancient brooches. Hattatt acknowledges in his first book, Ancient & Romano-British Brooches, published in 1982, that Mr Pickard first aroused his interest in brooches and inspired him in writing his books during his retirement. Mr Pickard also wrote the foreword to the section on Roman animal brooches, op. cit. p.158-160.

Fragments of wall plaster with rendered surface painted with mainly Pompeii red, pale blue, brown, cream and white detailing; some with an impression of timber laths to the reverse. 1.28 kg total, 7.3-13.4 cm



Acquired in the 19th century. Ex Jeger collection, Switzerland. UK gallery, early 2000s.

These small fragments, for analogies with the fragments of Pompeii, seem to belong to the second style of Roman painting, red panels representing highlight and shadow, decorated with vegetal interlaces. A red grenade fillet probably framed some panels. A fragment shows alternate blue and red colours over a cream background, maybe pertinent to a socle.