Roman Iridescent Glass Double Unguentarium

With a wide, grooved hoop expanding at the shoulders, rectangular plaque with ropework border enclosing amuletic inscription 'ToT, an abbreviation for the name of the Celtic god Toutatis. 5.02 grams, 23.37 mm overall, 19.65 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



Ex private collection, 1970s. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

A number of rings have been found in eastern Roman Britain inscribed with the word TOT. It is thought that they refer to the Celtic deity Toutatis, later associated by the Romans with Mars and Mercury. The rings have been found mainly in the area corresponding to the native British tribe of the Corieltauvi who may have worshipped Toutatis as their primary tribal deity. The likelihood of the presence of his cult is strengthened by several inscriptions found in Britain mentioning this deity. However, his origin may be sought in the religion of the Continental Celtae, as the Roman writer Lucan in the 1st century AD mentioned the worship of 'Teutatis' together with two other deities, Esus and Taranis.

Low profile lamp with lug handle and short stub nozzle; group of eight annulets to the shoulder; old collector's label. 134 grams, 12.7 cm



Ex Rheinland collection, before 2000. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Ellipsoid cameo with profile portrait bust in antique gold pendant frame with surrounding cabochons: emerald, sapphire, ruby - and clusters of pearls; marked to reverse '750', in a rectangle 'Bd G' (believed to be an upstate New York jeweller's stamp) and an indeterminate third mark; supplied with a custom-made display stand. 99 grams total, 92 mm including stand, pendant: 50 mm



American collection, early 20th century, New York. with Robert Haber Gallery, New York, 1990. Ex Jean Clostre, Geneva, Switzerland. Accompanied by a scholarly report by Dr Ittai Gradel. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12223-222312. 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.

Dr Ittai Gradel says: 'The cameo, of exquisite technical quality, has a close parallel in the Cabinet des médailles, Paris .. The TimeLine auction cameo is not, however, an exact copy .. though details are so close to the larger Paris cameo that the same gem carver, or at least workshop, probably produced both.'