Roman Glass Bead Necklace String

Scaraboid type with incuse design to the underside of a nude hero facing, holding one lion by the neck and another by the hindleg; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 4.25 grams, 19 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

The gem could be considered a representation of Heracles, even if the typology of iconography, which is inspired by the archaic one of Heracles, is unusual, and is influenced by the Mesopotamian environment, from where it borrows the frontal image of the hero (Gilgamesh or Enkindu) fighting with two beasts. The hero is beardless and holding an inverted lion, not certainly the Nemean one. He is acting like a master of the animals, showing eastern traits close to the Greco-Phoenician art. In the Phoenician workshops a similar image of the god Bes, holding two lions, as posis theron, is common. The type is more frequent in East than in West and is found on scarabs in Carnelian and chalcedony.

Mixed group of graduated beads, the central feature a large cylindrical bead; restrung. 27 grams, 30 cm



Acquired in the 1990s. Ex London, UK, collection.

Piriform in plan with short spout flanked by volutes, segmented shoulder and dished discus, basal ring. 39.4 grams, 91 mm



From a UK private collection since at least 1946. Property of a West London, UK, gentleman.