Roman Carnelian Victory Gemstone

Statue fragment comprising the hips, buttocks and draped stola with a scallop-shell at the waist. 11.5 kg, 28.5 cm



Ex Paris collection. French gallery, Paris, 1990-2000s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11956-20935.

Modelled in relief with openwork elements, stylised detailing to both figures; hollow reverse. 182 grams, 10.2 cm high



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Hollow cast bronze images of Eros riding a lion are linked to the Eastern Levant and have been found for example in Tamna, probably a Roman import. The importance of long-distance contacts within the Eastern Mediterranean areas was rapidly reflected in provincial artistic styles, probably as soon as in Hellenistic times, at the beginning of the third century B.C., possibly even earlier. The unquestionable Greek influence led a number of scholars to define three main styles for the bronzes discovered in the eastern Roman provinces: a local type and iconography locally produced, Greek or Roman imports, and Oriental, Hellenistic, or Roman style, locally produced.

With intaglio image of Serapis seated holding his spear, birds in the field; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.81 grams, 12 mm



From the collection of a Swiss gentleman formed in Europe from 1970-1980s; thence by descent from the family in London.