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LOT 0144
Roman Gold Ring with Cult of Jupiter Dolichenus Bull Gemstone
2ND CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (4.41 grams, 26.31 mm overall, 18.49 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q 1/2, USA 8 1/4, Europe 18.12, Japan 17)).
A solid, smooth gold ring with D-shaped hoop, oval carnelian intaglio with a bull surmounted by a star; repaired.
ProvenanceAcquired 1970-2000s.
Ex Abelita family collection.
Cf. Beutler, F. et al., Der Adler Roms. Carnuntum und der Armee der Cäsaren, Bad-Deutsch Altenberg, 2017, item 153, for type; for the Dolichenus cult see Kusseven, P., The Cult of Iupiter Dolichenus: origins and iconography, Ankara, 2007, p.120, fig.B15.
FootnotesThe bull, symbol of thunder and fertility, was an important component of the cult of Jupiter Dolichenus, to which this ring is probably connected. The god is usually represented as standing on a bull holding an axe in his upraised right hand and a bolt of lightning in the left. This bull perpetuated the connection with storms, a frequent and rather obvious identification of power and ferocity. This was a Hittite concept inherited from the Anatolians and then by the Romans.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0144
Roman Gold Ring with Cult of Jupiter Dolichenus Bull Gemstone
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,105
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Roman Terracotta Jar Fragment with Erotic Scenes
1st-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £139
A handled jar fragment decorated in raised relief with two erotic scenes, the first showing a masturbation scene, the second a copulating couple. 33.7 grams, 71 mm
Fair condition. Rare.
Acquired 1970-1999. London collection of the late Mr S.M., thence by descent. -
Roman Nude Crouching Woman Gaming Piece
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,755
A bronze figure or gaming piece of a nude female in crouching pose with hands placed on the hips, possibly giving birth; the hair shown drawn up in a bun, segmented armband to each upper arm. 30.4 grams, 28 mm high
Private Swiss collection, acquired 2002.
The dice features six attitudes on which it could land when rolled, one of which includes the figure's head. The earliest concrete historical evidence of games played with dice originated from ancient Egypt, circa 3000 B.C., although it is generally believed by historians that dice pre-dated the ancient Egyptian civilisation. The Romans played two games using dice: Tali and Tesserae. The former originated in Greece and features four animal bones. The aim was to roll in such a way that each die displayed a different number-the higher the combined number, the greater the score. The latter was played using three dice, the goal being to roll triple six, or to achieve the highest combined numbers out of the contestants; it was a game of chance and the most common street and tavern gambling game in ancient Rome. ‘Dogs’ referred to poor scores and ‘Venus’ to high ones. Roman players rolled dice from a special cup called a fritillium onto wood, bronze, or marble boards, depending on their class and wealth. Roman elites boasted ornate boards inscribed with their names. The gambling which ensued from dice games caused extreme social issues in Roman society, leading the government to eventually outlaw dice games, although these laws were largely ignored. -
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Roman Statuette of Attis
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £702
A bronze figure of Attis standing wearing the distinctive Phrygian cap, advancing wearing a flounced tunic and cloak, holding a falx in the left hand; right arm absent; mounted on a custom-made stand. 117 grams total, 97 mm high including stand
German art market, 1990s. Mr A.H., a North American collector living in the UK.
