Roman Gemstone with Youth Fighting a Multi-Headed Serpent

The upper part of a Beneficiarius dedicatory spear or sceptre, comprising a circular-section shaft with an ivy leaf finial, a crescent (lunula) below and the point with triple acorn-shaped spheres; the lower end of the shaft square-section and with a rosette for attaching it to the wooden part, engraved with X-motifs and circumferential lines. 62 grams, 49 cm



Found Cambridgeshire, UK. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

The beneficiarii, within the Roman army, were soldiers exempted from menial duties and acting as orderlies of senior officers; they were also charged with particular duties by governors and generals. Their distinctive insignia were decorated spears, often with a point shaped like an ivy leaf. The military stela from Perinth depicting a 3rd century beneficiarius shows a very similar spear, mounted over a particular structure on the midshaft of the spear.

With a D-section band expanding at the shoulders, wide bezel with raised oval plaque bearing a stylised depiction of goddess Fortuna facing right, holding a rudder and cornucopia. 4.35 grams, 21.37 mm overall, 17.58 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H, USA 3 3/4, Europe 6.18, Japan 6)



From the collection of a High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK, gentleman, circa 2000.

Comprising a slender hoop with discoid bezel and central cell surrounded by a beaded wire collar, inset garnet cabochon 1.56 grams, 17.01 mm overall, 13.30 x 15.50 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G, USA 3 1/4, Europe 4.92, Japan 4)



From a late Japanese specialist collector, 1970-2000s.