Roman Glass Thimble

With facetted hoop, ellipsoid cell to the bezel with inset carnelian gemstone, intaglio image of a kantharos; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 5.88 grams, 24.02 mm overall, 19.60 mm internal diameter (approximate size British S, USA 9, Europe 20, Japan 19)



From the collection of a Surrey gentleman; acquired 1970-1980.

From the middle of the 3rd century AD, gem production in the Roman Empire declined rapidly. At the same time the first Christian motifs began to be visible on the rings.

Comprising a biconvex body with ellipsoid base, short neck with everted rim and strap handle; the body facetted, with concentric rings to the central panel on each side; mounted on a custom-made stand. 82 grams total, 95 mm including stand



From an important collection of glass, London, UK, 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12960-246379.

The word amphoriskos, Greek for 'small amphora', refers in the Graeco-Roman world to the shape of the object, a miniature version of the two-handled metal or ceramic vessels that contained oil or wine. Core-formed glass was made by dipping a removable core that gives the vessel its shape into a molten glass mixture.

Terracotta fragment with impressed stamp '[...] XIIIIG' for Legio XIV Gemina. 345 grams, 14 cm



From the collection of a Buckinghamshire, UK, collector established from the earlier 1960s.

Legio XIV Gemina ("The Twinned Fourteenth Legion") was raised by Julius Caesar in 57 BC; its cognomen Gemina (Twinned) was added when it was merged with another legion after the Battle of Actium. It took part in the defeat of Boudicca in AD 61.