Roman Green Glass Bead Necklace String

Comprising a hollow-form round-section hoop widening towards the shoulders, set with a table-cut garnet with foil backing, polished. 1.55 grams, 21.78 mm overall, 15.63 x 14.16 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H 1/2, USA 4, Europe 6.81, Japan 6)



From the old family collection of a West Country, UK, lady; acquired by descent from her grandfather circa 2001.

Swept in profile comprising a horizontal crescentic panel to attach to the rim, with inlaid silver detailing, recurved cobra-shaped thumb pad, raised serpent to the outer face of the tapering handle, finial a mask of Bacchus or Pan, facing with volute scrolls to the brow and thick splayed beard; silver diadem and eyes. 110 grams, 14.2 cm



Private collection. with Christie's, London, 11 June 1997, no.97 (part). with Bonhams, 13 April 2000, no.198. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's and Bonhams catalogue pages. Accompanied by a copy of an Art Loss Register certificate. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12529-232161.

These handles, which formed a leafy plant element and an S- or T-shaped animal at the top, were usually attached to the belly of the bronze vessel by a human head. In our example, the broad head of the mask, with its broad moustache and beard, characterized by abundant hair, seems to hark back to the iconography of the Sileni or Pan.

Original albumen print of a toga-clad figure among architectural ruins; 'Giovane con toga nel cortile della Casa degli Archi' (IX 7,20) Pompei by Wilhelm von Gloeden; stamped to reverse W.von Gloeden Taormina, Sicilia (deposé)' and 'W.von Gloeden Tarmina (Sicilia) / Proprieta Artistica'. 5.2 grams, 15.6 x 11.7 cm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Harwich, UK, collector.

Baron Wilhelm von Gloeden was known for photographic images of Italian youths posed as classical figures, often nude in a classical landscape or setting. At the outbreak of World War I he left Italy; Mussolini's fascists destroyed many of his images and glass negatives as obscene.