Roman Glass Gem with Female Bust

With bulbous body and gently flared foot, deep shoulder, tall neck with everted rim to the mouth, two lateral loop handles with moulded herringbone detailing. 370 grams, 21.3 cm



From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent. Accompanied by the original collector's data sheet with reference no.A56, and original invoice dated 15 June 1989.

Standing and facing left with her right hand raised an holding a budding flower; inscription in Greek 'KAΛ(OΣ)' (= beautiful) on the left. 0.74 grams, 13 mm



Ex R. Sebastia Coch (1908-1969) collection, Barcelona; thence by descent. English art market, 2018. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate no.S00143341.

Spes (Elpis in Greek) was honoured as a goddess since ancient times, but especially during the Empire the cult of the goddess took on a political value, symbolically representing the confident expectation of a happy imperial succession. From Claudius who had her depicted on coins on the occasion of the birth of his son Britannicus, Spes was then defined in epigraphs with the epithet of Augusta, Augusti, Augustorum and also publica or p(opuli)R(omani), to which were added under the Severi the attributes of perpetua(eternal) and firma(firm).

With intaglio goose standing on a baseline; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.54 grams, 10.3 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.