Roman Gold Earring with Garnet

With intaglio Minerva standing with spear and shield; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.58 grams, 12.86 mm



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

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).

Comprising: a lion-headed nude male figure in running position; two hand pendants making the fica gesture; a wolf-head(?) shaped mount. 38.7 grams total, 25-45 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

The 'manus fico' (literally 'fig sign') is a gesture made with the hand, and fingers curled, with the thumb thrust between the middle and index fingers. In Roman culture, this was a sign of fertility or good luck and would have warded off the evil eye. Phallic amulets were popular items amongst the Roman army.