Roman Gold Pendant with Bead

Of squat carinated form, slender tapering neck with everted rim, decorative white marbling over the body. 47 grams, 85 mm high



Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private collection since 1998.

Flat ceramic sherd with incised concentric rings, band of impressed alternating lozenges and roundels, group of four fish to the centre; fabric-backed. 178 grams, 17.5 cm



Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister

The representation of fish on this terra sigillata from a North African workshop suggests the connection with Christian faith through the fish symbol. The ancient Greek: 'ἰχθύς', was an acronym for the phrase ‘Jesus Christ, Son of God’, in Greek, and was used by early Christians for this reason. The fish symbol was very common in the catacombs of Rome and was used as a recognition symbol among the early Christians.

With intaglio figure of Mercury seated on a throne with coin-purse and caduceus, on a baseline; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 1.73 grams, 18 mm



From the collection of a Swiss gentleman formed in Europe from 1970-1980s; thence by descent from the family in London.