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LOT 1160
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Mercury
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
1/4 in. (0.23 grams, 8 mm).
Ellipsoid type with intaglio standing figure of Mercury on a baseline with caduceus held in the crook of one arm, marsupium in the other hand; supplied with an impression. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
LiteratureSee image in similar style of Mercury in Provincia di Venezia, Piccolo mondo antico, la collezione glittica torcellana (Small Ancient World, the glyptic collection from Torcello, in Italian), Venezia, 2014, p.12.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 1160
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Mercury
Estimate £80 - 100€93 - 116 (for guidance only)$108 - 135 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£5 (EUR 6; USD 7) +BP*
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Roman Terracotta Double Nozzled Oil Lamp with Triangular Reflector
Early 1st century A.D.Estimate: £120 - 170 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Comprising a low central bowl with a central filler hole to the discus, two nozzles each with volute detailing; canted triangular reflector with low-relief tendril ornament. 176 grams, 17 cm
Ex J.R. collection, Netherlands, since before 2000. Private collection, Europe, acquired from the above. -
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Roman Carved Stone Totum Spinning Gaming Die
2nd-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £1,000 - 1,400 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
Steatite spinner with conical foot, hexagonal-section body and tapering shank above; facets with incised lettering 'TA, ND, NH, NG, SZ, LS' in serifed Roman capitals. 20.7 grams, 49 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
Instead of the usual dots or ring-and-dot markings found on the dice, the numerical values are here indicated by letters. The letters are engraved into the stone with great care, using a burin with an elongated cutting edge. The value sequence was possibly determined by the position of the letters in the Latin alphabet: TA = 1+19; ND = 13+4; NH = 13+8; NG = 13+7; SZ = 18+25; LS = 11+18. -
Roman Gold Ring with Later Cameo
3rd century A.D. and laterEstimate: £700 - 900 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £365
Elipsoid hoop with expanding rounded shoulders decorated with leaf-shaped and linear motif, insert with a later white stone intaglio with a stylised head in a profile. 3.16 grams, 23.36 mm overall, 16.25 x 12.90 mm internal diameter (approximate size British F 1/2, USA 3, Europe 4.3, Japan 4)
Ex Saeed Motamed (1925-2013), collected between 1953-early 1990s. with Christie's, 22 April 2013, no.25.
