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LOT 0086
Roman Gold Ring with Banded Glass
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (1.18 grams, 18.29 mm overall, 15.66 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G, USA 3 1/4, Europe 4.92, Japan 4)).
A hollow-formed gold finger ring with ellipsoid bezel, inset panel of banded iridescent glass.
ProvenanceAcquired early 1990s.
Ex private American collection; thence by descent.
Private Swiss collection since 1998.
Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 103, for an earlier example of the type.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0086
Roman Gold Ring with Banded Glass
Estimate £1,000 - 1,400€1,160 - 1,620 (for guidance only)$1,350 - 1,890 (for guidance only)
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Roman Lead Sealing with Bust of an Emperor
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £20
A round lead seal with male portrait, wearing a military mantle fastened on the right side by a fibula, three Latin letters on the left side, possibly 'I A A'. 2.3 grams, 13 mm
Acquired in the 1970s. Important European collection.
Lead seals were used to seal documents. The sealing shows a facing male head with a bearded face, probably the portrait of a Roman emperor or a high imperial functionary, like a Dux or a Praefectus. The hairstyle is that of the Dominate, or late 3rd century AD. -
Roman Marble Hand Holding Bird
1st-2nd century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £845
A white marble right forearm and hand, modelled in the round gripping a bird; simple detailing to the bird's head and to the folds of the skin on the palm of the hand and the nail beds; remains of iron rod inserted into the limb. 531 grams, 17 cm
New York art market, 1992. -
Roman Epigraphic Gemstone with Head of Zeus Serapis
3rd-4th century A.D.or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £468
A gemstone with one side incised with the head of Zeus Serapis wearing a modius crown, seen in profile to the left, surrounded by Greek letters I,Λ,φ, ν, Λ,Λ,Ϲ,Ϲ,Ε,Δ; the other side with enigmatic inscription 'BIKIω PIΗΔνMΗ IΔ φI ΛA'. 0.86 grams, 12 mm
Acquired before 1988. Ex family collection, by descent, Geneva.
Serapis was a Graeco-Egyptian god, whose cult was popularised during the 3rd century B.C. on the orders of Ptolemy I of Egypt, to facilitate the religious syncretism of his kingdom. During the Roman Empire his image was widely diffused in the east. Usually a third of these gems carry magical words which shows that they were used as amulets or for some other ritual purpose. These magical gems were inscribed with acclamations or prayers that suggest they were used as amulets for protection (in this case of Serapis) or to acquire charm, but only some of them can be linked with some divinatory or prophylactic purpose.
