Roman Gold Child's Ring with Ruby-Coloured Gem

Comprising two fragments: the large showing the upper body of a female wearing jewellery, the smaller with clothing folds. 116 grams total, 6.3-10 cm



From the collection of the late Grayham Futter esq., Norfolk, UK, thence by descent, 2005. Acquired on the UK art market since the 1990s. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman; thence by descent. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.

Depicted in a contrapposto stance, detailed torso with well-defined musculature, indicative of the idealised human form, carefully rendered drapery cascading over the figure's left shoulder and wrapping around his lower body, the folds of the garment deeply carved; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 33 kg total, 71 cm including stand



Ex Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), Paris and Geneva, thence by descent. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by a printed copy of the Spanish cultural export licence no.1775-3178156. Accompanied by a copy of a French passport, no.134277. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13459-260915.

Asclepius, the god of medicine, is a pivotal figure in Greek mythology and was later adopted by the Romans. According to myth, Asclepius was the son of Apollo and the mortal Coronis. Trained by the centaur Chiron, he became a skilled healer, so proficient that he could even bring the dead back to life. His abilities eventually led to his demise at the hands of Zeus, who struck him down with a thunderbolt to maintain the balance between mortals and gods. The Pio-Clementino Museum houses a marble statue of Asclepius in the Octagonal Courtyard. This statue, similar in pose and drapery, provides an excellent comparative study. The National Museum in Athens (Room 28) displays a marble statue of Asclepius, highlighting his characteristic bearded face and draped garments. The British Museum's Greek and Roman Antiquities collection includes a statue of Asclepius (Room 69), illustrating the common attributes and stylistic elements. The Louvre Museum, Paris, in the Department of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities, contains a marble statue of Asclepius in Room 17, showcasing the classical drapery and posture similar to the piece in question.

Broad plaque with raised ellipsoid panel, incuse standing figure of Mercury with a caduceus. 5.43 grams, 21.96 mm overall, 18.64 x 14.95 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L, USA 5 3/4, Europe 11.24, Japan 10)



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