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LOT 0085
Roman Gold Ring with Serapis Gemstone
1ST CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (3.15 grams, 26.98 mm overall, 13.22 mm internal diameter (approximate size British D, USA 1 3/4, Europe 1.15, Japan 1)).
A hollow-formed gold finger ring with inset carnelian gemstone engraved with a profile bust of Serapis above a perching eagle flanked by fronds, possibly a marriage.
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 142, for 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 0085
Roman Gold Ring with Serapis 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 Triclinium Finial Set
1st-4th century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
A set of four copper-alloy triclinium (bed) finials, each with a bell-shaped body and baluster style finial; hollow to base. 1.18 kg total, 9.6-10.1 cm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
The Romans, like the Greeks, ate whilst reclined on beds. The eating bed (lectus triclinaris) was a luxury furniture item crafted by carpenters. From the 2nd century B.C., Romans started to create 'lecti aerati, inargentati, inaurati, eborati, testudinei,' i.e. beds made of wood and covered with bronze, silver, gold and ivory fittings (as in our specimens) or with scales of other precious material. Such elements were sometimes sculpted in the shape of an animal protome, or were simply bell-shaped, like our specimens. -
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Roman Bronze Figurine of Silenus
1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £3,500 - 4,500 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,750
A bronze figure of Silenus standing nude with vine-leaf wreath on the brow, muscular physique, dressed beard and stern facial expression, holding a bunch of grapes in the left hand; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 104 grams, 65 mm high (127 grams total, 71 mm high including stand)
Private Swiss collection, acquired 2001. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.11621-199008.
Silenus was closely associated with the Dionysian cult. He was a deity associated with the forest, wine, drunkenness, the treading-dance of the wine press an orgiastic ritual. Whilst intoxicated, Silenus was belied to possess the power of prophecy. He helped raise the god Dionysus, son of Zeus, after he was entrusted to him by Hermes. Once, whilst travelling with Dionysus through Phrygia, Silenus was captured by king Midas who treated his captive hospitably. As a reward, Dionysus granted the king his famous 'golden touch'. The sacred animal of Silenus is the donkey, the mode of transport he often used according to Greek mythology. -
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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.
