Roman Iridescent Tall Glass Unguentarium

Formed as a six-petalled flower with deeply grooved petals, a hanging loop at the centre with a separate bar attachment and a glass bead. 1.72 grams, 23.4 mm



From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.

With a palla drawn up over her hair, stepped at the rear to indicate a chignon; soft, youthful facial features with fleshy cheeks and a rounded jawline; mounted on a custom-made stand. 1.47 kg total, 18.5 cm including stand



with Gorny & Mosch, Munich, 21 June 2005, no.344. Private collection, Europe. Accompanied by copies of the relevant Gorny & Mosch catalogue pages. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13198-250132.

The head comes from a statue that most likely represented a matronly deity, Demeter or Hestia/Vesta, the goddess protector of the home hearth. The latter seems the most likely, as she was usually depicted (as in the Hestia Iustiniani, a prototype often replicated in the Roman era) with a covered head (velato capite), a symbol of modesty and marital virtue for the Roman matron.

Circular frame with low-relief pellet and linear decoration, two small loops flanking the stem. 21.14 grams, 61 mm



From a retired Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman's collection, a long-time member of the Pewter Society.