Roman Gemstone with Legend

Depicting Nero as a young boy, either as crown prince or within the first year of his reign in his first known portrait type, unequivocal with his long hair fringe. 2.17 grams, 17 mm



Ex Paul Munro Walker collection, Bournemouth, UK, 1970s. Private collection of Alexander Cotton, Hampshire, UK, sold October 1986. From a London gentleman's, UK, collection, in the 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12104-216215.

Dr Ittai Gradel writes: 'Date is AD 51-55. On most glyptic portraits from shortly after he became emperor, so 54-55, he is shown laurelled ... However, on the coins he is shown also bare-headed even as emperor in 54-55 (second coin, denarius). Again, on coins his bust is shown draped only before he became emperor in 54 (first coin, aureus), but cameos show him draped also as emperor (as e. g. the Marlborough one: but there are several known). It is therefore not possible to say if the emerald shows him as crown prince or as emperor, and I cannot date it more precisely than 51-55.'

Matched pair of appliqués each a bust of the goddess Diana modelled in the round with hair dressed tight to the head, tunic and strap for a quiver passing over the right shoulder; the eyes formed oversize to accept silver inserts. 94 grams total, 60 mm each



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Piriform mount with stylised facial features, broad band of hair with incised zigzag and roundels, hollow to the reverse. 71.6 grams, 66 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.