Roman Glass Candlestick Unguentarium

The oval intaglio engraved with two winged Victories, facing each other in profile, wearing long garments crossed on the breast like a trabea consularis, both holding a staff-standard with a double forked tip. 1.64 grams, 17 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.

The iconography of two Victories facing each other is clearly from Late Antiquity and reflects the images of the two victorious empires - East and West - that, transformed into winged Nikes, are holding together the standard with the chi-rho (the two Greek letters forming the initials of the name of Christ), conceived as a long shaft topped by the Greek letter P (R) and the superimposed letter X.

The free-standing human figure carved with a long neck and voluminous hairstyle, with a stylised face and suggestions of necklaces; remains of a previously articulate arm held at a right angle to the body, hoop earrings with bead ornament to both ears. 133 grams, 18.5 cm



London, UK, gallery, 1971-early 2000s.

Modelled in the round crouching with one forepaw held aloft, stylised detailing to the animal's coat, head, face and paws. 130 grams, 54 mm



‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.