Roman Cobalt Blue Glass Flask

Comprising a variety of brooch types, including openwork plate brooches; ornate trumpet brooches; a letter 'S'; a discoid plate brooch with glass centre encircled by remains of gilt punch motifs and tinned reverse; an openwork axe brooch; together with a range of other types, most decorated; all without pins. 149 grams total, 27-65 mm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance.

With wide flat bottom decorated inside with incised concentric circles, the internal concave surface retaining some of the silver coating; the central umbilicus still visible. 860 grams, 22.8 cm wide



From the family collection of a Surrey gentleman since before 1960.

This vessel (lanx) was part of Roman and provincial bronze instrumentum domesticum, i.e. culinary or domestic utility ware. Such cooking vessels are rare in such condition: some are found in central and northern Gaul, Italy, in Pannonia, Germany and in Britain. Specimens of precious metal, richly decorated and chiselled, sometimes adorned with reliefs, are mentioned by ancient authors such as Cicero (Ad Att., VI,1,13) and Ovid (Pont.III,5,20).

Modelled in the round standing facing, displaying anatomical detailing. 11 grams, 24 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.