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LOT 0106
Roman Gold Pendant with Garnet Gemstone Depicting Victory
CIRCA 1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
1 3/8 in. (4.59 grams, 34 mm).
Comprising an oval cell with an applied suspension loop and three coiled drops below; set with a garnet cabochon engraved with a winged figure of the goddess Victoria (Victory), wearing a plumed helmet and holding arrows in her extended hand; stone cracked.
ProvenanceAcquired from Royal Athena Gallery.
From a major London, UK, collection, 1970s.
Ex property of a North London, UK, gentleman.
Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.
Cf. Beutler, F. et al., Der Adler Roms. Carnuntum und die Armee der Cäsaren, Bad-Deutsch-Altenburg, 2017, item 104, for a gemstone depicting Victoria in similar style.
FootnotesThe winged goddess of victory not only represented a specific deity, but for the Romans she was the symbol of Rome's invincibility. She was not only the emperor's permanent companion but his guarantee for his success in military campaigns. For this reason she was frequently represented on monuments, standards and on coins, gems and statuettes.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0106
Roman Gold Pendant with Garnet Gemstone Depicting Victory
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
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Roman Bronze Patera with Lion Head Handle
1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
Comprising a shallow discoid bowl with inverted lip, central dome with concentric ring ornament, basal ring; the handle columnar with foliage to the junction, lion-head finial with gaping mouth. 410 grams, 21.2 cm
Acquired Gorny & Mosch, Munich, 25 June 2014, no.86. From the Horton collection, UK. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Gorny & Mosch catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12062-214252. -
Roman Bronze Square-Shaped Bell
Circa 1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
Of quadrilateral form, with a rectangular cross-section at base, tapering to a rounded dome with large integral suspension loop with five facets to the outer face; clanger absent. 162 grams, 82 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
The Romans used bells in ritual and secular contexts, when they could be suspended from the necks of animals, worn for talismanic protection or as anklets by servants. -
Roman Marble Head of Hercules Wearing the Nemean Lion Skin
Imperial, circa 1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800
Modelled with naturalistic features, gazing left, sculpted pupils and strong lids; luxuriant beard and moustache framing the face; strong forehead with tightly formed curls emerging from beneath the lion's skin hood; the hood with clear eye detailing and the mane with regularly arranged tufts; original iron pin to the front of the muzzle; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 8 kg total, 28.5 cm including stand
Private Germany collection, 1981. with Gorny and Mosch, 19 June 2013, no.3. Ex A.S.collection, Florida, USA. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12085-214457.
The head is a Roman copy of a Hellenistic original, of ‘Palazzo Pitti/Wilton House’ type depicting Hercules wearing the skin of the Nemean lion with the paws of the lion crossed upon the breast, his left arm holding the club and the right hand holding the golden apples of Hesperides. The representation of a slight movement of the head also shows elements of the Lysippean Antalya-Borghese type (example from the Archaeological Museum of Naples with the head covered by the Nemean lion skin).