Roman Gold Teardrop Pendant

Composed of graduated oblate and annular beads, central feature a larger facetted bead with a melon bead above; restrung. 14.8 grams, 46 cm



From the London, UK, art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

In the Roman period there was a strong formal and chromatic diversity of glass beads used for necklaces and bracelets. The most common beads in forms were small biconical (lenticular), barrel-shaped, spherical and annular; the most common colours were dark blue, followed by green and yellow. The succession of glass beads often imitates jewellery made of costly materials (gold, silver, semi-precious and precious stones).

Comprising a tapering hoop formed with convergent bands filled with scrolls, granule at the junction to the reverse; beaded wire frame to the square bezel with central panel and teardrop-cell to each corner; inset cabochon to each corner cell, later green cabochon to centre; shoulder repaired in antiquity with gold strap. 7.27 grams, 23.17 mm overall, 16.94 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K, USA 5 1/4, Europe 9.95, Japan 9)



with Gorny & Mosch, Auction 119, 16 October 2002, no.3072. Private collection, London. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12814-241422. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Ellipsoid in plan with incuse Abraxas motif. 1.13 grams, 16 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.