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LOT 0089
Roman Chrome Chalcedony Gemstone of Gryllus
1ST CENTURY A.D.
3/8 in. (0.31 grams, 9 mm).
With intaglio composite profile bust of a helmetted female (possibly depicting Minerva) facing left, and two other heads, one emerging from the helmet and the other beneath the neck; supplied with a museum-quality impression.
ProvenancePrivate English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s.
Private collection, London, UK.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Silver Double-Bezel Ring with Garnets
Circa 3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
With bifid ellipsoid bezel, each band with inset cabochon garnet. 9.30 grams, 23.90 mm overall, 18.41 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)
Property of a North West London gallery; formerly in a 1980s collection. -
Roman Gemstone Collection
2nd-3rd century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £390
Including a rock crystal insert with intaglio hoplite and two other intaglio warriors, a later cameo with female bust. 2.16 grams total, 11-15 mm
Norfolk family collection, 1940s-1960s; thence by descent. -
Large Late Roman Mosaic with Inlaid Glass Birds
6th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £149,500
Rectangular panel of decorative mosaic tesserae comprising: wave pattern border in cream and graduated blue-grey tesserae with darker outer edge; inner border of graduated maroon and dark blue-grey tesserae; central field with two inner rows of four and two outer rows of five parakeets in various standing and perching poses, each formed from blue and green glass tesserae with white, crimson and other detailing to the eye, beak and chest; embedded in a sturdy steel-framed matrix of traditional mid 20th century type. 2.12 x 2.05 m
with Leon Simard, 1960s, Montreal, Canada. Archaeologia Gallery, 1980s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12966-244460.
The design of repeated birds against a neutral field is similar to patterns found on Late Roman and Sassanian textiles of roughly the same date, especially silk and wool textiles woven on more mechanised looms. Birds of all varieties appear frequently in floor mosaics and other arts of the Roman period; however, beribboned birds are rare.