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LOT 0100
Roman Gold Rings for a Married Couple with Nicolo Bust Gemstones
2ND CENTURY A.D.
3 3/4 in. (12.83 grams total, 20.25 mm overall, 15.50 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G, USA 3 1/4, Europe 4.92, Japan 4) 20.86 mm overall, 16.35 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H, USA 3 3/4, Europe 6.18, Japan 6)).
Comprising two matching solid hoops with expanding shoulders, each set with a dark blue nicolo intaglio, one bearing a profile bust of a young Hercules, and the other with a profile bust of a woman wearing a taenia or a wreath on her head. [2]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of the late A.B., London, UK; acquired before 1989.
Accompanied from an archaeological report of Dr. Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12006-213034.
Cf. variant 3, type I, of the Ruseva-Slokoska classification of gold rings with gemstones, see Ruseva-Slokoska, L., Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, p.170 no.192; cf. similar artefact in the Koch collection, in Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 226; Gołyźniak, P., Engraved Gems and Propaganda in the Roman Republic and under Augustus, Oxford, 2020, figs.22-23, pl.6.2, for similar profiles.
FootnotesThe iconography here is simple, possibly referring to a married couple, or to important public persons. The 5th century Roman writer Macrobius wrote that the engagement ring was worn on the fourth finger. Legend has it that the vena amoris, literally the ‘vein of love’, ran from the heart to the fourth finger of the left hand. Gemstones and fancy embellishments have been found in Roman rings of every age, although usually for engagement or wedding rings the iconography of clasped hands, symbolising the ‘fides’ among the spouses, was used. Intaglio portraits were engraved into a large variety of stones but nicolo, carnelian and red jasper were generally the most popular for imperial portraits or for the members of the imperial family.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0100
Roman Gold Rings for a Married Couple with Nicolo Bust Gemstones
Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,160
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Roman Marble Epigraphic Eagle Statue
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £1,300
Standing on a rectangular plinth with folded wings, gripping claws and feather detail to the chest and wings; on the front face of the plinth carved inscription in seriffed capitals 'M TITIO / MAXIM[.] / [.]TER[..]'. 2.75 kg total, 17 cm (24 cm high including stand)
Acquired in the 1990s. Private collection, Suffolk, UK. Property of a European gentleman. Accompanied by a copy of a French cultural passport no.140839. -
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Roman 'Published' Terracotta Oil Lamp with Fighting Gladiators
Early 1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,340
Grey fabric, broad discus with concentric rings and chamfered shoulder, short nozzle flanked by volute scrolls; scene of two murmillo gladiators in combat, one having fallen to the ground; maker's stamp to the underside 'MAR[..]S'; mounted on a custom-made stand. 66 grams, 95 mm (137 grams total, 14.6 cm high including stand)
Ex Axel Guttmann collection of ancient arms and armour, Germany (1944-2001). with Christie's, Axel Guttmann collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 2, London, 28 April 2004, no.178 (part). European private collection. Exhibited at Harwich Museum, Harwich, Essex, UK, 3rd February-9th March 2024; accompanied by a copy of a photograph of the artefact on display. Accompanied by a copy of the Christie's online catalogue listing. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Das Spiel mit dem Tod, book pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12049-211932. -
Roman Gold Ring with Garnet Cabochon
Circa 2nd-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £3,000 - 4,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,600
Comprising a keeled hoop forked at the shoulders to form two elegant scrolls supporting the raised bezel, decorative grooves framing the garnet cabochon. 8.16 grams, 23.85 mm overall, 19.37 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)
Acquired from London galleries during the 1990s. From the jewellery collection of a London, UK, gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12114-214295.
The type of ring seems to date (with the volutes on the shoulders) to the late 2nd-early 3rd century A.D., although the model is certainly derived from the Hellenistic world. The use of carnelian and garnet was abundant in Hellenistic and Roman rings, and the style of the rings continued without change in the Roman Hellenised east.
