Roman Glass and Other Bead Necklace String

Hollow-formed in reclining pose with the legs folded beneath the body, tail curled over the rump, hump to rear of neck. 61 grams, 47 mm



Acquired in 1992. Private collection, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.

D-section hoop, elliptical in plan, with raised oval bezel set with a jasper intaglio engraved with inverted Greek inscription 'IXΘYC' (ichthys, meaning 'fish"), a Greek acronym for 'Jesus Christ, Son of God; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 9.18 grams, 21.91 mm overall, 18.68 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)



Private collector, acquired in the early 1990s. Private collection, England.

The term ichthys is the equivalent of the ancient Greek: ixθus, ichthýs ('fish'), used by early Christians to refer to Jesus Christ. For this reason, the fish symbol was very common in the catacombs of Rome. In particular, the ichthys is one of the oldest Christian symbols that has come down to us. Used covertly by Christians to mask their faith from Roman persecutors, when a Christian encountered a stranger whose loyalty he needed to know, he would draw one of the arches that make up the ichthys in the sand. If the stranger completed the sign, the two individuals recognised each other as followers of Christ. The symbol was also drawn on the doors of the houses of Christian families. Its use spread in the 3rd century to personal effects such as the ring offered here.

Round-section hoop with expanding shoulders enclosing an intaglio depicting a quadriga. 4.46 grams, 24.62 mm overall, 19.35 x 14.91 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K 1/2, USA 5 1/2, Europe 10.58, Japan 10)



Private collection, Europe.