Roman Green Glass Bead Necklace String

Hollow-formed, no handle, but the rear bulging tubular part of the basin may have served as such; body in the shape of a comic theater mask with large open mouth; filling-hole on forehead, knit eyebrows with jolly expression and large open mouth functioning as a wick-hole; crown of foliage and fruits; flat raised oval base. 38 grams, 67 mm



From the collection of Mr W.A. Stewart, Director of School of Arts and Crafts, Cairo, 1919-1929. Acquired Christie's, London, Antiquities, Works of Art and Important Renaissance Bronzes, Plaquettes and Limoges Enamels, 8 July 1981, no.126 (part). From a private Wiltshire, UK, collection. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Christie's catalogue page.

Lamps with figurines first appeared in the Hellenistic period, possibly originating in Athens, since the 2nd century B.C. Found in all parts of the Mediterranean basin, they were particularly popular during the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D. The Silenus face types were linked to the Bacchic cult. The crown of leaves and fruit across the forehead alludes to Bacchus or one of his followers.

With square-section tapering shaft, head formed as three radiating lobes with twisted ornament. 11.9 grams, 93 mm



From a private Tyneside collection, formed since the early 2000s.

Carved in the round, standing on a rectangular base, wearing a floor-length tiered robe with exposed right shoulder and arm; separate left hand extended, holding a patera; right hand gripping the head of a snake wound around the arm; separate head with finely modelled hair bound in a chignon; repaired and restored. 95 kg total, 115.5 cm high



Believed to have been in the collection of George Adolphus Gray (c.1850), captain of a merchant vessel and avid collector. Acquired by the present owner circa 15 years ago, reportedly recovered from a skip. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12967-244537.

Asclepius, son of Apollo and Coronis, was the Graeco-Roman god of medicine, healing and prophecy. He had two daughters with Epione, the goddess of soothing - Hygeia (goddess of health) and Panacea (goddess of healing).