Roman Carnelian Scorpion Gemstone

In a rectangular matrix; cream, olive, pink and other tesserae depicting a perching bird with rosette above. 15.4 kg, 43.5 x 50.4 cm



Former collection of Mr Pierre Bart (1889-1964), official of the French mandate in Syria and Lebanon (1919-1936) and delegate to the Lebanese government until 1946. Transmitted by descent.

Comprising large tile and vessel fragments, some with inked notes; and a group of white and grey tesserae, including one large redware tessera. 2.3 kg total, 1-17 cm



Found St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK. Acquired from the finder in 2008. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman.

The great monuments of Verulamium were efficiently destroyed by the medieval builders of Saxon and Norman abbeys. They sought Roman bricks and, above all, limestone which could be burnt for mortar. Most of the ancient Roman town stone monuments were broken up and thrown into lime kilns. These surviving fragments give a hint of what was once there. For the monuments and buildings Romans used Northamptonshire limestone, but the more delicate, finely carved inscriptions were realised in Purbeck marble from Dorset.

In a rectangular matrix; cream, olive, pink and other tesserae depicting a bird advancing with head bowed, with banded frame. 10.35 kg, 40.3 x 40.3 cm



Former collection of Mr Pierre Bart (1889-1964), official of the French mandate in Syria and Lebanon (1919-1936) and delegate to the Lebanese government until 1946. Transmitted by descent.