Roman Deep Blue Glass and Other Bead Necklace String

The monogram in Roman capital letters, ('R'+'M'+'A', with the 'O' represented by the circular rim of the brooch itself), a palindrome 'AMOR'; complete with pin. 15.8 grams, 37 mm



Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of a Surrey, UK, collector.

The brooch is composed of the stylised letters ‘RMA’. When viewed from the obverse RMA + the circle of the brooch form a monogram for ‘Roma’. Roma refers to both the city and its divine personification, the Dea Roma. But if RMA is read from right to left (or the brooch is viewed from the opposite side), the letters display a monogram for ‘AMOR’, the Latin name for Cupid, the god of love. The phrase pertains to Roma-Amor, a widely recognised palindrome espousing Roman wordplay in the ancient times.

With basal ring, piriform body, broad mouth with applied rim, single loop handle to the shoulder. 2.58 kg, 30 cm high



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

Flat ceramic sherd with incised concentric rings, band of impressed alternating lozenges and roundels, group of four fish to the centre; fabric-backed. 178 grams, 17.5 cm



Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister

The representation of fish on this terra sigillata from a North African workshop suggests the connection with Christian faith through the fish symbol. The ancient Greek: 'ἰχθύς', was an acronym for the phrase ‘Jesus Christ, Son of God’, in Greek, and was used by early Christians for this reason. The fish symbol was very common in the catacombs of Rome and was used as a recognition symbol among the early Christians.