Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Minerva

Shallow body with a D-shaped handle at the rear, the edge with a vine-leaf border, two filler holes at the centre flanking a profile bust; an old label at the base reading 'Roman redware terracotta lamp excavated at Thurburbo Major c. 3rd-4th cent AD'. 140 grams, 10.8 cm



Acquired from Vanessa Purcell & Company, Manchester, UK, in 1993. From the collection of Mr & Mrs J.G.W. Lee, late Herefordshire collectors, their collection having been established from the 1990s. Accompanied by a copy of an original sales receipt.

Drum-shaped frosted glass vessel on a low basal ring, lateral loop handles each with an angled spur below and fish-tail plaque above. 260 grams, 18.3 cm wide



Acquired in the 1980s. with Christopher Sheppard, London, UK. Acquired from the above in 2007. 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.13248-252970.

The classic shape of this skyphos, a two-handled drinking cup from the 1st century, reflects the metal prototypes of the period. The most famous are the silver cups from Boscoreale and the House of the Menander at Pompeii (Hilgers, 1969, pl.2, nos.5-6 and pl.4, nos.1-4; Pappalardo, 1986, pp.206-207, nos.1-4).

With rolled rim to each tapering tube, applied trail detailing to each upper body, lateral angled handles and large applied loop handle above; iridescent surface. 77 grams, 17.5 cm



Private collection, 1990s-early 2000s.