Roman Glass Unguentarium

The intaglio with a donkey (mule?) grazing, body facing right; Latin inscription on the verso ‘EVM’ (him). 0.98 grams, 12 mm



Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Important North West London collection.

Donkeys were used by the Roman army from circa 200 B.C. but mules, the hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, were to become the most important working animals for the military and were used to pull heavy artillery such as catapults. It has been estimated that there were probably half a million mules serving in the Roman army by the time of Augustus (31 B.C.-A.D. 14). DNA studies have now shown that mules may have comprised up to 50% of the equids in the Roman Empire. The use of pack-mules for the army continued in the Eastern Roman army until the fall of Constantinople.

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.

Modelled in the round, a mythical two-headed animal, with hole through the centre for attachment. 18.9 grams, 43 mm



‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.