Roman Glass Candlestick Unguentarium

With luxuriant long wavy hair and characteristic vertical locks at the forehead, full beard with two large ringlets below the chin, wearing a chiton and a himation draped over the left shoulder, the head surmounted by a corn modius decorated with olive branch in relief, the bust supported on the back of an eagle standing atop an orb with spread wings, the eagle with its head slightly turned to the left, the feathers finely detailed; a finial from a staff or a ceremonial standard. 1.4 kg, 29.5 cm high

Repaired.

Ex private collection, South Germany, 1980. with Gorny and Mosch, Munich, 13 December 2003, lot 74. with Christie's, New York, 8 June 2012, lot 239. 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.11789-206489.

The Emperor Septimius Severus (193-211 A.D.) modelled many of his portraits based on Serapis. But it was under Hadrian that the refurbishment of the statue in the Serapeum increased the demand for small-scale images, like this one, probably made during his reign and used atop of a processional sceptre or standard for the cult of the god.

An oblong vessel with three spouts and palmette reflector handle with pierced lug below to reverse; raised and notched discus; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 209 grams total, 15 cm high including stand



From the collection of the German specialist Arno Jumpertz, Leverkusen, Germany, 1924-1984. Most of the collection was exhibited at Neus museum in 1985.

Each composed of a penannular hoop with filigree ornament, single granulated bead below, suspended on a cylindrical bar with vertical columns of filigree wire; elements joined with later silver wire; repaired. 10.33 grams total, 46-48 mm



From the collection of a North American gentleman, formed in the 1990s.