Roman Glass Bead Necklace

With a lug handle and oval elongated body, two central filling-holes flanking the image of a kantharos, enclosed within a decorative shallow border on the shoulders with alternating floral S’s, concentric circles and quatrefoils; two thin concentric circles on the base with letter B in the middle, possibly the potter’s mark. 226 grams, 14.5 cm



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 lamp belongs to the type Atlante X or Hayes II A. The so-called Christian lamps in Terra Sigillata Africana have been classified by Hayes into two major types, I and II. He has distinguished two classes in his type II, according to geographic place of manufacture or origin. Subtype II A group lamps from central Tunisia are characterised by a fine clay, glossy light orange slip, and carefully executed decoration using a great number of neatly drawn shoulder motifs. The kantharos is a fairly common motif in Early Christian imagery, as a container of life giving water.

Grey fabric, broad discus with concentric rings and chamfered shoulder, short nozzle flanked by volute scrolls; scene of two murmillo gladiators in combat, one having fallen to the ground; maker's stamp to the underside 'MAR[..]S'; mounted on a custom-made stand. 66 grams, 95 mm (137 grams total, 14.6 cm high including stand)



Ex Axel Guttmann collection of ancient arms and armour, Germany (1944-2001). with Christie's, Axel Guttmann collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 2, London, 28 April 2004, no.178 (part). European private collection. Exhibited at Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 3rd February-9th March 2024; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefact on display. Accompanied by a copy of the Christie's online catalogue listing. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Das Spiel mit dem Tod, book pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12049-211932.

Standing wearing a hide skirt held up with rope, lion's claw foot below. arched bracket to rear. 124 grams, 63 mm



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.