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LOT 0105
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Theatre Masks
1ST-3RD CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (2.51 grams, 22.02 mm).
Polished to an oval shape, engraved with eight theatre masks in two rows; one row with three tragic masks in profile, one depicting a satyr, and a tragic mask of an old man shown frontally; the opposing row with a tragic mask of an old man in profile, a Bacchus mask, a mask of a bearded man wearing a cap shown in three-quarter view, and a mask of a young hero facing the centre.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a late London, UK, gentleman, 1980s.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12033-214124.
Cf. Pirzio Biroli Stefanelli, L., L'Oro dei Romani, gioielli di eta' Imperiale, Roma, 1992, figs.15,110, for identical masks on cameos of the 1st century A.D.
FootnotesThe masks represented seem to be relevant to the typologies of the 'new comedy', an image that appears on cameos and gems since the Augustan era.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0105
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Theatre Masks
Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,640
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A Henig Type I ring circular in shape set with a chalcedony intaglio decorated with Victory standing in front of a column. 1.01 grams, 16.06 mm overall, 13.31 mm internal diameter (approximate size British D 1/2, USA 2, Europe 1.78, Japan 1)
Found near Welshpool, Wales, UK, on 23 October 2019. Accompanied by a copy of a Welshpool Portable Antiquities data sheet with PAS reference no.WREX-2A4F27. -
Large Romano-British 'Published' Lead Gaming Dice
Circa 1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
Cuboid with impressed ring-and-dot motifs disposed 6:5, 4:2, 3:1. 35 grams, 15 mm
Found UK prior to 2000. From the important private collection of dice and gaming pieces of Colin Narbeth, London, collection no.61. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Celtic & Roman Artefacts book pages where this object is published.
The conventional Roman dice were made in bone or lead, with dots representing numbers from 1 to 6. Roman dice from the Romano-British settlements are often poorly made and often had opposite sides that do not add up to 7. -
Roman Bronze Vulcan Statuette
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Standing wearing a tunic draped from the left shoulder and a conical hat, left arm extended at shoulder-height; mounted on a custom-made stand. 110 grams total, 71 mm including stand
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.
