Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Hare

Irregular mosaic fragment of beige, cream and grey tesserae with radiating trumpet-shaped swirls; mounted in a modern rectangular matrix. 33 kg, 76 cm high



Found Gloucestershire, UK. From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

A mosaic found in Cirenchester (insula IX, Chester Street) shows panels defined by a dark blue-grey single fillet with an additional double fillet parallel to it on a longer axis, having an overall scheme of running pelta-pattern. Each pelta is outlined in dark-blue grey and infilled with red, white and dark blue grey at the centre.

Modelled in the round, comprising the lower torso and the goat-legs in vigorous motion, the left raised and bent, right leg straight with the genitals leaning against the length of the thigh, stub of the tail to the reverse; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.4 kg total, 16.5 cm high (24 cm high including stand)



From the collection of Jan Onderdijk, Belgium, before 1980. Acquired by Mr J.R. an antiquarian in the late 1980s. 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 search certificate number no.12022-213655.

Statues of satyrs, relaxing, dancing, and pursuing nymphs proliferated during the third century B.C., as the cult of Dionysus, god of wine and the pleasures it bestows, grew in importance. The Romans appreciated portrayals of Satyrs and Silens, and borrowed them from Greek art, the god Pan being one of the favourite subjects. This statuette is probably a Roman copy from a Hellenistic original, similar to the specimen from the Garimberti collection, where the god, with the left leg firmly planted on the ground and the other leg raised, is carrying a basket of flowers and fruit on his back.

With pecked fur texture to the neck, cheeks and dewlap; slightly indented reverse. 13.7 grams, 21 mm



Private collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent.