Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0949
Roman Gemstone with Minerva
2ND CENTURY A.D.
5/8 in. (1.18 grams, 17 mm).
Plano-convex in section with incuse image of Minerva standing with one hand extended, holding her spear and shield.
Provenance
Acquired 1970s-1996.
Property of a North American collector.
London collection, 2016.
Literature
Cf., Cravinho, G., ‘Roman Gems in the National Soares dos Reis Museum in Oporto,’ in Studies in ancient Art and Civilization, vol.22 (2018), pp.141-179, pls.I, 7-8, gems with Athena Promachos and Minerva.
Footnotes
In Rome, the Athena Promachos type occurs on imperial silver medallions of Domitian (struck in 92 AD), since Minerva was his personal protector. On gems, it became very common from the end of the 1st century BC onwards, even on the magical gemstones.
CONDITIONVETTING:
TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
LOT 0949
Roman Gemstone with Minerva
Estimate £150 - 200€170 - 230 (for guidance only)$200 - 270 (for guidance only)
RELATED LOTS
-
Roman Terracotta Bullae, Tesserae or Token Group
3rd century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
A mixed group of ceramic bullae, tesserae or theatre tokens bearing low-relief motifs, mainly consisting of profile busts of deities. 31 grams total, 14-21 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
The term 'tessera' was used in Roman times to convey the Greek term σύμβολον (token). Small tiles are known as tokens, often shaped like coins, made of metal (copper, lead, iron), clay, bone, wood, or glass, stamped as well as engraved. The tokens, however, are not exclusively coin-shaped, as the Latin term 'tessera' suggests by etymologically referring to a square or at least a four-sided shape and confirmed in several cases by material remains of the past. Tokens and tesserae seem to have been used both in Athens and Rome for the distribution of goods. According to written sources, the term token is identified with credentials of the official authorities. They have also been interpreted as tokens of identity, as entrance tickets to theatre performances, tribunals or assemblies of citizens, archival material of seal engraving, as pawns in games, Charon’s obols and even as amulets. -
Large Roman Bone Gaming Die
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
With ring-and-dot markings disposed 1:6, 2:5, 3:4. 1.66 grams, 9 mm
Ex Essex gentleman's collection, 2000s. -
Late Roman Glass Bowl
3rd-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
With a narrow basal ring and a curved sidewall, a rolled rim. 118 grams, 16 cm wide
From a specialist collection of glass, acquired from dealerships during the 1990s.
