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LOT 0122
Roman Inscribed Orange Sardonyx Gemstone with Philosopher Seated Under a Tree
1ST CENTURY A.D.
1/2 in. (1.01 grams, 13 mm).
The oval stone engraved with an old man (a philosopher?) seated on a stone, wearing a low cap, half naked and with the cloak covering his leg; his right hand resting beside him, and his left hand raised in the act of speaking; a tree behind, inscription in Greek letters 'ψίω' (= eat).
ProvenanceAcquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s.
Important North West London collection.
See similar image of a seated philosopher in Provincia di Venezia, Piccolo mondo antico, la collezione glittica torcellana (Small Ancient World, the glyptic collection from Torcello, in Italian),, Venezia, 2014, p.39.
FootnotesA particularly recognisable representation in Graeco-Roman art was that of a male character, with a bald head and a slightly pointed beard, seated in profile on a simple seat or on a rock. It represents the philosopher, who often has his hand raised in the gesture of speaking or holds a volume in his hands, characterised according to the rules of cynicism, by the bare torso and the cloak that covers his legs. The inscription refers to the imperative to 'feed' on knowledge.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0122
Roman Inscribed Orange Sardonyx Gemstone with Philosopher Seated Under a Tree
Estimate £600 - 800€700 - 930 (for guidance only)$810 - 1,080 (for guidance only)
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Roman Glass Bracelet
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
Twisted in dark green colour with a black spiral band within, flattened plaque. 23.8 grams, 78 mm wide
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Roman Silver Head of a Panther
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
Modelled with naturalistic detailing, open mouth with large fangs, wide-eyes with pointed ears; angled recess to reverse for attachment. 5.3 grams, 16 mm
‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection. -
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Large Roman Bronze Staff Finial with Bust of Serapis
Circa 2nd century A.D.Estimate: £80,000 - 100,000 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £40,000
With luxuriant long wavy hair and characteristic vertical locks at the forehead, full beard with two large ringlets below the chin, wearing a chiton and a himation draped over the left shoulder, the head surmounted by a corn modius decorated with olive branch in relief, the bust supported on the back of an eagle standing atop an orb with spread wings, the eagle with its head slightly turned to the left, the feathers finely detailed; a finial from a staff or a ceremonial standard. 1.4 kg, 29.5 cm high
Repaired.
Ex private collection, South Germany, 1980. with Gorny and Mosch, Munich, 13 December 2003, lot 74. with Christie's, New York, 8 June 2012, lot 239. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11789-206489.
The Emperor Septimius Severus (193-211 A.D.) modelled many of his portraits based on Serapis. But it was under Hadrian that the refurbishment of the statue in the Serapeum increased the demand for small-scale images, like this one, probably made during his reign and used atop of a processional sceptre or standard for the cult of the god.
