Roman Glass Bead Necklace String

Comprising: ellipsoid type with profile bust; plano-convex type with horseman; flat ellipsoid with bust of Minerva; chipped. 2.8 grams total, 10-16 mm



From the private collection of Mr K.A., acquired in the 1990s-early 2000s.

With a rectangular body and loop handle, the underside with a Menorah on a tripod base, a shofar on the left, a lulav and a shovel to the right. 46.3 grams, 59 mm



From a private family collection formed since the early 19th century, thence by descent. Property of a New Zealand legal professional. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12324-223712.

According to Friedenberg and A. Reifenberg, unlike the Roman Christian counterparts, stamps such as the present example were likely used on the stoppers of wine amphorae rather than to stamp bread. They were used to seal the wine amphora to guarantee the purity of the wine as sanctioned by the Talmud.

Modelled nude, standing on an ellipsoid base with mantle to the left shoulder and caduceus supported by the left arm, item (perhaps a marsupium) in the right hand, winged petasos to the head with bird perched above the left ear; mounted on a custom-made stand. 38.5 grams total, 82 mm including base



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

The statuette belongs to Gallo-Roman glyptic tradition, whose geometric treatment of the drapery recalls that of a statuette in the Avignon museum and the statue of the seated god of Sommerécourt (Haute-Marne) of Celtic tradition. The winged petasos, as in many other statuettes, seems to be made of tortoise shell.