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LOT 0644
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Mars
2ND CENTURY A.D.
1/2 - 3/4 in. (1.89 grams total, 13-18 mm).
With standing helmetted figure with spear and shield; in bronze ring bezel mount. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Fluted Iridescent Amber Glass Cup
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
With iridescent surface, flat bottom, vertical ribbed segmentation, slightly everted chipped rim. 88 grams, 98 mm wide
Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector, with numbered reference G.31. London collection, 2016. -
Roman Marble Eagle Head
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Carved facing left, with deep-set hooded eyes and a hooked beak, stylised feather detailing to the head; mounted on a custom-made display base. 1.88 kg total, 23 cm high including stand
Ex Simmons Gallery, London E11, UK. Ex London collection, 1980s-1990s.
In the Greco-Roman world, the eagle was the symbol of Zeus. It is most probable that this eagle flanked a statue of the god. A story is bruited abroad to the effect that Zeus, wanting to determine the centre of the world, let eagles fly of equal speed from west and east. The birds, flying in opposite directions, met at Pytho and that marked the central point of the whole world. -
Large Roman Bronze Mythical Cockerel-Headed Snake
4th century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £278
The upper body, neck and head of a mythical basilisk, modelled in the round with the body of a serpent and head of a cockerel, the body with a tapering round-section profile, stylised detailing to the head. 260 grams, 88 mm
‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.
The basilisk was a Graeco-Roman mythical two-legged dragon or serpent-like creature with a cock's head. It had the reputed ability to kill people by either looking at them, touching them, or sometimes breathing on them. According to legend a basilisk would die instantly upon hearing a rooster crow or looking at itself in a mirror.
