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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.
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 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 Carnelian Gemstone with Two Victories
4th century A.D.Estimate: £800 - 1,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £444
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. 1.64 grams, 17 mm
Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.
The 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. -
Roman Silvered Bronze Double Dolphin Brooch
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
With openwork body formed as two dolphins leaping in tandem, with simple detailing to the fins; on the reverse pin lug and catchplate. 13.3 grams, 32 mm
Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance.
Twin dolphin brooches were found in Wiltshire, but they are more typical of the Roman territory of Pannonia, The hinge was usually placed below the bodies towards the tails, so that when worn win the pin point uppermost the dolphins faced upwards instead of downwards. -
Roman Bronze Standing Lion Statuette
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
Modelled in the round with naturalistic detailing, standing with head turned to the right. 12.3 grams, 26 mm wide
‘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.
