Roman Large Glass Necklace Bead Group

Formed as a bust of within foliate crescent, wearing a floral diadem and pleated tunic; rectangular mounting lug to reverse. 42.8 grams, 45 mm high



Found near Colchester, Essex, 2005.

The intaglio bearing the bearded head of the god Serapis; gold ring with slender hoop and openwork tripartite shoulders, held in an oval claw setting; stamped '9ct' to the interior. 2.98 grams, 26.40 mm overall, 20.24 mm internal diameter (approximate size British V, USA 10 1/2, Europe 23.77, Japan 22)



Early 20th century collection based on the ring. Acquired on the London art market. Property of a North London antiquary. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11861-206034.

Probably from a colossal statue of Silenus or a satyr, detailed and naturalistic rendering of a left ear, conical shape with accurate depiction of the internal hair. 767 grams, 18.5 cm



Acquired in Europe before 1995. Private collection, Europe.

In the mythology of ancient Greece and in the Graeco-Roman literary world, satyrs were a community of beings who lived mostly in woods, surrounded by nature, and often together with nymphs. In the most ancient period they were imagined by the Greeks like Sileni, in human form, but with the ears, tail and sometimes hooves of horses. Seilenoi were depicted as fat, elderly, white-haired men, with snub noses, balding heads, and the ears and tails of asses. They were sometimes covered in fluffy white hair and occasionally sported a pair of ox horns.