Roman Glass Flask with Gallery

Small, flattened base with pontil mark; long, cylindrical neck with a slightly everted mouth; lip folded inwards; free-blown, partially with sinter deposits. 39.8 grams, 13.3 cm



Ex Helene Wackernagel-Wenk (1901-1979), Switzerland; thence by descent. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Helene Wackernagel-Wenk was a distinguished collector of art and antiquities, celebrated for her refined taste and commitment to preserving cultural heritage. Her collection encompassed a wide range of artifacts, reflecting her deep appreciation for the artistic and historical significance of ancient civilizations. Known for her meticulous curation, Wackernagel-Wenk’s legacy endures through the exceptional pieces that once formed part of her esteemed collection. Artifacts associated with her name are highly valued for their provenance and quality. Pear-shaped body.

A mixed group of two hundred and fifty single tesserae of various colours and sizes, mostly cuboid. 356 grams total, 7-18 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. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Hollow-formed with fine detailing to the fingers and nails; with fixing points for a military standard (signum) used by each unit under a centurion, originally fixed with the palm facing forwards inside a wreath. 718 grams, 21 cm



Acquired in Europe before 2000. European private collection. 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 a search certificate number no.12003-211851. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Roman military signa decorated by phalerae and surmounted by a right hand were used from the Late Consular Age. The hand (manus) symbolised the fides, i.e. the allegiance between the soldiers and the Res Publica. It is also possible that the hand belonged to a statue in which it was extended as a sign of silence, to allow the speaker to speak. However, the iconography of military hands, and also the resemblance to a bronze hand (military signum) preserved in the Vindonissa museum (Windisch), support the possibility that the object was part of a military standard.