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LOT 0102
Roman Gold Ring with Apollo Gemstone
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (4.49 grams, 26.13 mm overall, 21.70 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L 1/2, USA 6, Europe 11.87, Japan 11)).
With a solid ellipsoid hoop expanding at the shoulders from the mid 3rd century, with oval bezel set with a blue nicolo gemstone engraved with the figure of standing crowned god Apollo, depicted nude and holding a staff (or lyre?) in his raised right hand, gazing towards his raised left hand.
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of the late A.B., London, UK; acquired before 1989.
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 a search certificate number no.12005-213036.
See variant 1, type VII, and type III, variant 1, of the Ruseva-Slokoska classification, in Ruseva-Slokoska, L., Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, pp.165-166 nos.182-183, 174, no.203; cf. similar specimens in the Koch collection, in Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, items 344-346; Kiernan, P. and Henz, K.P., ‘Rings from the Forbidden Forest. The function and meaning of Roman Trinket Rings’ in Journal of Roman Archaeology, Supplementary Materials, 2023, pp.1-19, fig.1, seven rings of the same shape with a nicolo gemstone.
FootnotesThe god’s body is depicted in three-quarter view, whereas the head is in full profile. The casual posture of the figure on the gemstone is taken from the common iconography of the god. Apollo is frequently portrayed in this fashion, although often leaning against a small column.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0102
Roman Gold Ring with Apollo Gemstone
Estimate £2,000 - 3,000€2,320 - 3,480 (for guidance only)$2,700 - 4,050 (for guidance only)
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Roman Coin and Limited Edition Framed Print
3rd century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £7
The coin mounted on 22 carat gold foil, framed with an art print signed by the artist David McAllister, depicting scenes of Roman military activity; limited edition number 24/1150. 1.3 kg, 49 x 36 cm
UK gallery, early 2000s. Accompanied by an old certificate of authenticity.
David McAllister's exciting design is a 'one of a kind' work that portrays the might and riches of the Roman civilisation. This limited edition print is a celebration of the award winning artist's lifetime dedication to historical paintings of the ancient world. To enhance appreciation of this rare and historic work, each individual print is signed and numbered by the artist. -
Roman Inked Wooden Tablet, a Legal Document from the Rascotiano Estate
4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £13,000
A reused tablet with a recessed panel on one side, the last tablet of a legal document which consisted of two (diptychon) or three tablets (triptychon); ten black inked lines of New Roman cursive script, the end of a record of a transaction in a highly formulaic legal language, confirmed between heirs and elders (heredes et seniores), negotiated on an estate called Rascotiano; one edge irregular, pierced for addition of a thong or string. 23.7 grams, 12.3 x 12.5 cm
From an important London collection since 1975. Accompanied by a collection of eighteen 1970s photographs of the the tablet.
The contract follows standard Roman legal formulae. -
Roman Redware Ram Pottery Sherd
Circa 4th-5th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Fragment of a terracotta votive statuette representing a ram, detail to the horns, ears and fleece; set with a suspension ring on the reverse. 50 grams, 77 mm wide
Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
Many figurines of this type have been found in the Hellenised Roman provinces of the east and one identical in the Athenian Agora. They are all rendered with incisions that are characteristic of the technique of the late fourth century. Many similar examples were found in the Kerameikos and some are in the National Museum of Archaeology, Athens. A similar technique is observable in the plastic handles representing animal heads which occur on red pottery ornamented with white paint.
