Loading, please wait...
Details
LOT 0587
Roman Gemstone with Scorpion
2ND-4TH CENTURY A.D. OR LATER
5/8 in. (0.82 grams, 15 mm).
Composed of an oval-shaped body, possibly sodalite, displaying an intaglio scorpion; accompanied by a museum-quality impression.
Provenance
Acquired on the European art market in the late 1960s-early 1970s.
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 0587
Roman Gemstone with Scorpion
Estimate £150 - 200€170 - 230 (for guidance only)$200 - 270 (for guidance only)
RELATED LOTS
-
Late Roman Glass Pendant of a Seated Cloaked Male
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Modelled in the round, seated cross-legged on a rectangular base, featuring semi-naturalistic facial and anatomical features and an exaggerated phallus; suspension loop to reverse. 9.13 grams, 36 mm high
Fine condition.
Acquired 1969-1999. London collection of the late Mr S.M., thence by descent. -
Roman Bronze Phallic Mask Pendant
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
Displaying the face of a bearded god, possibly Cernunnos or Pan, with curly hair and two horns in the shape of phallus; suspension ring to the top. 25.6 grams, 45 mm
Acquired in the 1990s. Ex property of a UK gentleman.
The head displays typical features associated with Romano-Celtic art, such as the lentoid eyes and the schematic rendering of the hair and beard. The head could be that of Pan, god of the wild countryside and of fertility in nature, thus making the phalli-shaped horns appropriate. It could also represent the Celtic god Cernunnos, a Gallic deity whose worship is known from Britain and the Continent from a number of monuments, inscriptions and figurines, as well as on the famous Gundestrup cauldron found in a bog in Denmark. His name means "the Horned One", and is depicted as a bearded male wearing a torc around his neck and with large horns or antlers on his head. Representations of him are known from as early as the fourth century B.C. from the Paspardo rock carving at Val Camonica, Northern Italy. Other representations include the monument set up by Parisian sailors which was discovered underneath Notre Dame cathedral, and the relief carving from Cirencester where his legs are in the form of two snakes. The Celts' preoccupation with fecundity caused them on occasions to represent their male gods with oversized phalli, and a bronze figure of Mercury from Tongres, France, depicts the god with two phalli on his head. -
Roman Enamelled Bronze Disc Brooch
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Complete with pin lug, pin and catchplate to reverse, displaying a floral design with remains of polychrome enamelling. 12.16 grams, 32 mm
Acquired from Gary Edwards at York Antiques Centre. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by Gary Edwards.
