Roman Gold Ring with Carnelian Gemstone with Bucolic Scene

Ellipsoid bezel with incuse motif of a crouching rabbit. 2.23 grams, 21.66 mm overall, 19.12 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)



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

Ellipsoid in plan with intaglio profile bust of Apollo as a kouros; set into a later gold ring; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 6.33 grams, 22.23 mm overall, 17.52 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)



Private collection, Europe. Acquired on the English art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13130-248354.

Orangey-red intaglio with a concave front and flat back, depicting the three-quarter bust of Serapis; displaying a tightly curled beard, shoulder-length wavy hair with a central parting brushed up from the forehead, wearing the characteristic calathus (woven basket or corn-measure) headgear, symbolising fertility; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.47 grams, 14 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

Serapis was a Graeco-Egyptian god combining the Egyptian gods Osiris and Apis, but with a decidedly Greek appearance. He was promoted by Ptolemy I in the 3rd century BC to help unite the Greek and Egyptian people. Later, Ptolemaic rulers spread his worship, and Serapis became popular across the Roman Empire. Outside Egypt, he was often identified as Isis's partner, replacing Osiris. Over time, he also adopted traits associated with the Greek gods, Hades and Dionysus.