Roman Gold Pendant with Beads

With incised foliage detail to the high arched bow and flat head plate with human face and radiating floral pattern engraved on both sides; catchplate and pin-loop to the reverse. 36.5 grams, 10.5 cm



Ex European collection, 1990s. Ex Den of Antiquity, Cambridgeshire, UK. Accompanied by a dealer's catalogue information card.

The fibula seems to be provincial type, of Romano-Germanic inspiration. This particularly characteristic fibula shape of the Romano-Germanic army, worn probably by the Germanic mercenaries of the Roman army, appeared in the later 2nd and partly at the beginning of the 3rd century A.D., under a form of large bow brooches with various types of head plates or spiral sleeves.

Possibly depicting Laetitia, the goddess of joy, standing in a contrapposto pose with left arm resting on an anchor, right arm aloft; wearing a chiton and himation, feet emerging from underneath the hem; lower part of a chignon visible on the back; repaired. 146 kg, 104 cm



From a private French collection. Acquired in France before 1993. From the personal collection of Gordon Gridley. Gordon Gridley was a founding member of the Camden Passage antique dealers’ association. Trading in antiques from the late 1960s, he opened his first shop in 1971 and remained a well-known and respected figure in the antiques world until his retirement. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12087-214012.

With angled shank, wolf-head handle. 70 grams, 92 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.