Roman Gold Pendant with Beads

Formed as a coiled snake with curved tail, hatched lines to the body and stylised facial features. 3.28 grams, 23.25mm overall, 19.74mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)



Private collection, UK; formed in the 1980s. Property of a Shropshire private collector.

Trichinopoly chain with hook-and-eye closure, ball pendant with beaded wire collar. 15.02 grams, 36.5 cm long



From the collection of a Cambridgeshire lady, UK, 1990s.

The chain is composed of links in the form of pairs of broad, ribbed bands soldered together at a right angle. It is of fine loop-in-loop construction, terminating on one side in a ribbed cap with loops. The chain of ribbed loops placed at right angles is one of several popular varieties introduced in the late Roman period. The ball pendant was very common in Graeco-Roman times, substituted by Christian symbols during the late empire.

Comprising a D-section hoop with angled shoulders; applied gold sheet with hatched border to the bezel, set with a dark set carnelian intaglio engraved with a monogram 'ΚΑΛΟΥ' (of him who is virtuous, beautiful). 6.42 grams, 22.80 mm overall, 16.58 mm internal diameter (approximate size British E, USA 2 1/4, Europe 2.41, Japan 2)



Property of a North American gallery since the 1990s.

This category of silver rings, with rounded shoulders is characteristic of the 3rd century A.D. This is also supported by the dating of the Sliven treasury, a grave find with coins dated to the 2nd-3rd century A.D., where a high conically cut gem decorated with the image of Helios was found on a similar ring, with a high bezel (like here) decorated in its oblique part with oblique hatches resembling pearl-like cord.