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LOT 0581
Roman Gilt Dolphin Fibula
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
1 5/8 in. (14.66 grams, 42 mm).
A gilt dolphin fibula brooch; pin lug and catchplate to reverse.
ProvenanceAcquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Portrait Gemstone in Gold Ring
2nd-3rd century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
A sardonyx cabochon gemstone with intaglio portrait bust of a male wearing a diadem, possibly Apollo; set in a later gold ring. 12.89 grams, 30.12 mm overall, 22.07 mm internal diameter (approximate size British X, USA 11 1/2, Europe 26.29, Japan 25)
Ex Dr. A.R., Leipzig, 1980-1980s. with Gorny and Mosch, 13 December 2017, lot 424. English private collection. -
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Roman Style Silver Ring with Cupid Riding a Dolphin Gemstone
20th century A.D. or earlierEstimate: £300 - 400 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £150
A silver finger ring with inset onyx gemstone, intaglio of a boy riding on the back of a dolphin and wielding a whip. 9.29 grams, 27.65 mm overall, 20.67 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)
English private collection. -
Roman Mars Gemstone in Gold Ring
1st-2nd century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
An ellipsoid carnelian gemstone with intaglio figure of Mars wearing a helmet and bearing a cornucopia in one hand and a miniature figure of Victory in the other; set in a later gold ring. 8.93 grams, 21.88 mm overall, 17.70 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)
Ex Marianne Maspero, 1980. with Pierre Berge & Associes, Paris, France, 16 May 2018, lot 230. English private collection.
Mars was the ancient Roman god of war and agriculture; the majority of his festivals were held in March, when the season for military campaigning commenced, whilst the season for farming ended. Mars symbolised military power as a method for securing peace and stability and was believed a protective father of the Roman people. In Roman mythology, Mars raped Silvia, thus fathering Romulus and Remus, the famous twins suckled by the She-wolf and founders of the city of Rome. The animals most closely associated with Mars are the woodpecker, wolf and bear.
