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LOT 0141
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Serapis and Isis
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (2.51 grams, 18 mm).
The oval intaglio showing Serapis holding a sceptre and wearing a modius upon his head; Isis, wearing a feather(?) headdress and holding a sistrum.
ProvenanceAcquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s.
Important North West London collection.
Cf. Walters, H.B., Catalogue of Engraved Gems & Cameos, Greek, Etruscan & Roman in the British Museum, London, 1926, no.1030, for the type.
FootnotesSerapis was known to the Greek and Roman world already in the 3rd century B.C. in Alexandria, where Ptolemy I built a serapeum in honour of the god. The name of the god is considered to be composed from the names Osiris and Apis bull and means 'Osiris the bull' since after his death he became the ruler of the outer world, while it was also believed that Osiris lived in the world through Apis. Isis, his spouse, was worshipped in the Roman Empire as a powerful divinity, mother of the gods.
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AUCTIONS:
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Large Roman Bronze Staff Finial with Bust of Serapis
Circa 2nd century A.D.Estimate: £80,000 - 100,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £40,000
With luxuriant long wavy hair and characteristic vertical locks at the forehead, full beard with two large ringlets below the chin, wearing a chiton and a himation draped over the left shoulder, the head surmounted by a corn modius decorated with olive branch in relief, the bust supported on the back of an eagle standing atop an orb with spread wings, the eagle with its head slightly turned to the left, the feathers finely detailed; a finial from a staff or a ceremonial standard. 1.4 kg, 29.5 cm high
Repaired.
Ex private collection, South Germany, 1980. with Gorny and Mosch, Munich, 13 December 2003, lot 74. with Christie's, New York, 8 June 2012, lot 239. 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.11789-206489.
The Emperor Septimius Severus (193-211 A.D.) modelled many of his portraits based on Serapis. But it was under Hadrian that the refurbishment of the statue in the Serapeum increased the demand for small-scale images, like this one, probably made during his reign and used atop of a processional sceptre or standard for the cult of the god. -
Roman and Later Bronze Ring Collection
1st-19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Featuring a range of ring sizes and types; the majority with decorative bezels displaying floral, geometric, buckle and other designs, including one inscribed 'TIT /TIT' over two lines. 75 grams total, 16-30 mm
Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance. -
Roman Translucent Green Hexagonal Flask
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £546
A pale green translucent six-sided flask with trumpet-shaped neck and everted rim, applied strap handle. 52.3 grams, 12 cm high
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.
