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LOT 0186
Roman Gold Ring with Pair of Birds on Nicolo Gemstone
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (5.75 grams, 25.12 mm overall, 14.69 x 18.30 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J, USA 4 3/4, Europe 8.69, Japan 8)).
With a hollow-form hoop expanding at the shoulders, raised bezel set with a dark blue nicolo intaglio engraved with a pair of birds, one standing and the other stooped to pick something from the ground with its beak.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of late AB, London, UK, 1990s.
Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.
Cf. Ruseva-Slokoska, L., Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, items 196-199, for type.
FootnotesThe type of ring (type II, variant I of Ruseva-Slokoska classification) is characterised by the ellipsoid hoop, rounded on the outside, widening to a horizontal triangular shape. The nicolo was often employed in rings of the 2nd-3rd century A.D.
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LOT 0186
Roman Gold Ring with Pair of Birds on Nicolo Gemstone
Estimate £1,500 - 2,000€1,740 - 2,320 (for guidance only)$2,030 - 2,700 (for guidance only)
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Roman Silver Ring with Heracles
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Bezel with beaded Heracles modelled in the half-round; hoop split 2.56 grams, 22.32 mm overall, 15.88 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K, USA 5 1/4, Europe 9.95, Japan 9)
Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman. -
Romano-Parthian Ring with Trader and Seated Child
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £52
With round-section hoop, ellipsoid bezel, intaglio representing a Parthian trader with a child seated. 4.26 grams, 22.90 mm overall, 19.01 x 18.83 mm internal diameter (approximate size British R, USA 8 1/2, Europe 18 3/4, Japan 18)
UK private collection before 2000. UK art market. Property of a London gentleman. -
Roman Marble Janiform Herm Head of Ariadne and a Maenad
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5,556
Carved architectural element depicting a double herm comprising: a diademed female bust with long wavy hair framing the face, slender features with small mouth and raised lids; the other side with a diademed female with hair arranged in neat curls on the forehead, large eyes and small mouth, taenia shown on each side of the neck; base reworked with drilled sockets for mounting. 12.6 kg, 29 cm high
Old collection, acquired in the 1970s. Acquired by inheritance from Mr N.S. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Marina Mattei and Dr Laura Maria Vigna. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12084-211893.
The head with elaborately curled hair and diadem could represent Ariadne, as shown by comparisons with a fragment of a two-faced herm with bearded Dionysus and Ariadne preserved in the Antiquarium Ostiense, dated to the lmperial Roman age. The heads could be interpreted either as Ariadne and a Maenad, or as two Maenads being characterised by the diadem and long taeniae. The association of these figures with Dionysus is congruent with the typology of the herm, which refers to rural places and theatres. Numerous herms in fact attest that this type of sculpture was used in contexts linked to Dionysus and his sacred procession as well as, obviously, the representation of Ariadne, his female partner and double. The example fits into the class of domestic sculpture with a decorative function, mostly used to adorn peristyles and viridaria; the type placed at the crown of columns and pillars is quite documented, in particular in the version with the head of Dionysus contrasted with that of Ariadne or a Maenad.
