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LOT 0159
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Two Victories
4TH CENTURY A.D.
5/8 in. (1.64 grams, 17 mm).
The oval intaglio engraved with two winged Victories, facing each other in profile, wearing long garments crossed on the breast like a trabea consularis, both holding a staff-standard with a double forked tip.
ProvenanceAcquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s.
Important North West London collection.
Cf. a very similar winged Victory in a 7th century A.D. pendant with an ancient Roman gemstone, in Kornbluth, G., ‘The Transformative Power of the Metalwork Mount’ in Entwistle, C., Adams, N., Gems of Heaven, recent research on engraved Gemstones in Late Antiquity, c. AD 200-600, London, 2011, p.254, pl.21.
FootnotesThe iconography of two Victories facing each other is clearly from Late Antiquity and reflects the images of the two victorious empires - East and West - that, transformed into winged Nikes, are holding together the standard with the chi-rho (the two Greek letters forming the initials of the name of Christ), conceived as a long shaft topped by the Greek letter P (R) and the superimposed letter X.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0159
Roman Carnelian Gemstone with Two Victories
Estimate £800 - 1,000€930 - 1,160 (for guidance only)$1,080 - 1,350 (for guidance only)
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Roman Nicolo Gemstone with Theseus Holding Sword
3rd century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £444
The oval intaglio with nude youthful Theseus to left, holding a sword in sheath with belt for attachment. 1.08 grams, 15 mm
Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.
Theseus was one of the greatest and most popular heroes of Greek mythology and is closely associated with the city-state of Athens. Theseus is also known for many other adventures: however, he is more famous for slaying the Minotaur at the Labyrinth of Crete. -
Eastern Roman Silver Ring with Victory Holding Wreath and Palm Branch Gemstone
2nd-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £278
With circular hoop expanding at the shoulders, oval bezel flanked by two bosses; the bezel set with a carnelian gemstone engraved with the winged goddess Victory, dressed in a chiton with overfold, walking on tiptoes to the left and holding a laurel wreath in her right hand and a palm branch in her left. 3.20 grams, 19.78 mm overall, 16.22 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K, USA 5 1/4, Europe 9.95, Japan 9)
Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.
This type derives from a statue by Lysippos and appears on statues, reliefs, coins, and gems for purposes of political propaganda. In some variants on gems, Victory has her foot up on a globe, is seated and wears a helmet, an Erote gives her a palm, or the shield is propped against a trophy, a column or a palm tree. -
Roman Bronze Cockerel on Base Appliqué
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
Modelled with feather detailing on a tiered base. 49 grams, 46 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.
