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LOT 0979
Roman Iridescent Glass Footed Beaker
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
4 in. (93 grams, 10.2 cm).
Comprising a conical body and a flaring foot with a rolled rim.
ProvenanceAcquired in the 1990s from London dealerships and auction houses.
From the Lonson collection.
Cf. Lightfoot, C. S., The Cesnola Collection of Cypriot Art: Ancient Glass, New York, 2017, p.101, no.89, for similar beaker.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Roman Tall Glass Flask
Circa 1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £124
Comprising a squat conical body with a dimple at the base, long tubular neck with wide rim. 27 grams, 15 cm
From a London, UK, collection of glass, 1970-2000s. -
Roman Aubergine Glass Bead Necklace String
1st-4th century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £26
Composed of mixed beads and bead fragments, restrung. 20.2 grams, 41.5 cm
Acquired in the 1990s. Ex London, UK, collection. -
Roman Red Variegated Gemstone with Elephant
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,040
Scaraboid type with incuse design to the underside of an elephant with stars above; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 3.04 grams, 17 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
The Romans first encountered elephants in Pyrrhos' army, and the representation of elephants in Roman art begins from this period. Victorious emperors like Caesar and Vespasian celebrated elephants on their coins. Apart from the celebration of elephants as ‘war machines’, the image of elephants was linked to other aspects in the Roman Imperial Period. Before becoming emperor, Elagabalus was one of the priests of Helios-Sun worship in Emesa. He had elephant depictions on his coins during his reign. The elephants raise their heads to the sun when the sun rises. Thus, the sun is represented on the gemstone together with the elephant.
