Roman Glass Cosmetic Dish

A hollow-formed gold finger ring with inset jasper intaglio of Mercury (Hermes) standing wearing a cloak, holding a caduceus in one hand and a coin-purse in the other. 3.88 grams, 25.81 mm overall, 16.69 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H 1/2, USA 4, Europe 6.81, Japan 6)



Swiss private collection. with Geneve Encheres, Switzerland, 14 December 2017, lot 853. English private collection.

A clay lamp with rounded lug handle, shoulder with foliage in relief on each side, separated from the slightly concave discus by a ridge, which continues toward the round-tipped nozzle forming a wide channel between the discus and the wick hole; two equal-sized filling-holes at upper and lower part of the discus decorated with a lion running left, raised slightly convex base-ring with an additional inner ring. 163 grams, 13.5 cm



Acquired from a central London Antiquities Dealers Association (ADA) member's gallery in 1990. From the estate of a Lancashire gentleman.

The present lamps seems to be molded in Terra Sigillata Africana (TSA) = African Red Slip (ARS) and can be related to Atlante types VI. The passage from lamps of Loeschcke type VIII in TSA with a heart-shaped nozzle ( = Atlante form I) to the channelled so-called Christian lamps ( = Atlante forms VIII and X, or Hayes types I and II) was progressively achieved by three factors: the transformation of the initially circular discus into an oval shape, the elongation of the nozzle, and the increased width and length of the channel.

A bronze votive figure of Mercury modelled standing nude with stylised anatomical detailing, stylised wings on the head, right hand shrouded beneath a flattened area with horizontal grooves holding the purse, the other clenched into a fist. 43 grams, 59 mm

Fine condition.

Acquired 1970s. Ex UK collection. Property of a Portsmouth, UK gentleman.

Likely an ex-voto figure representing Mercury (Greek Hermes) holding a purse, clearly offered by someone to ask or give thanks for successful vows.