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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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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 Decorated and Inscribed Animal Hilt
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
Openwork rectangular bifacial dagger- or knife-hilt with lobe pommel and blade-socket; Side A: two rectangular openwork panels, above an inverted openwork inscription 'VTERE FELIX' and below two opposed running hounds; Side B: two opposed running hounds above inverted inscription: 'CONSTANTI' (use [this] with good fortune for Constantine). 87 grams, 11 cm
Private collection 1990s. Ex London, UK, gallery. -
Roman Bronze Statuette Head of Apollo
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £416
With delicately modelled youthful features, thick hair framing the face adorned with a laurel-wreath secured at the rear, traces of silvering to the eyes; ledge base; possibly Apollo the sun-god, or a lar (guardian spirit). 31 grams, 32 mm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
The use of domestic gods continued in the Roman Empire also in later times. Of particular interest is a group of sculptures discovered in the Theodosian Palace in Stobi. The finds consist of marble and bronze statuettes and reliefs that were deposited in one of the ornamental basins located in the peristyle. Four of the smaller bronze sculptures— a lar, Apollo, Venus, and a satyr— may have formed the contents of a lararium. The palace was in use until the 5th century A.D., but the sculptures consists of heirloom and reused pieces dated at 2nd-1st century B.C. However, an unusual feature of this bronze assemblage is the fact that they date overwhelmingly to the 3rd century A.D. -
Late Roman Gold Ring with Facing Birds
Circa 5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,470
With a heavy round-section hoop thickened at the base, lentoid bezel with ropework border and two opposing cockerels. 14.42 grams, 24.86 mm overall, 17.53 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)
Believed to have been acquired at Christie's. Property of a North American gallery. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12109-214332.
