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LOT 0748
Roman Lock Plate Figure
CIRCA 1ST-3RD CENTURY A.D.
3 1/8 in. (30.7 grams, 79 mm).
A bronze key composed of a tapering shaft with hatched and notched detailing, finial in the form of a bust with stylised facial detailing, rectangular openwork ward; perforated through the finial for suspension. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired before 2000.
From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Portrait Gemstone in Gold Ring
2nd-3rd century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
A sardonyx cabochon gemstone with intaglio portrait bust of a male wearing a diadem, possibly Apollo; set in a later gold ring. 12.89 grams, 30.12 mm overall, 22.07 mm internal diameter (approximate size British X, USA 11 1/2, Europe 26.29, Japan 25)
Ex Dr. A.R., Leipzig, 1980-1980s. with Gorny and Mosch, 13 December 2017, lot 424. English private collection. -
Roman Military Diploma Fragments
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
A pair of bifacial bronze military diploma fragments bearing Latin text: fragment A, side 1: 'CAEL[IBES] / DVM [TAXAT]'; side 2: 'NI[- - -] MAX'; fragment B, side 1: 'RNESE / CVS'; side 2: 'AL[- - - / - - -] LL'. 7.13 grams total, 21-32 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
Stylistically, the diploma seems connected with the empire of Hadrian, based in style used in letters M and A. The text of the extrinsecus can be partially reconstructed in the sentences ANTO{NI}NUS AVGVSTVS PONTIFEX {MAX}IMUS... AVT SIQUI {CAEL}IBES ESSENT CUM IIS QUAS POSTEA DUXISSENT {DUM}TAXAT SINGULI SINGULAS (...if they were in celibate then, to the maximum limit of only one (wife) for each...). The diploma gives 'HONESTA MISSIO' (honourable discharge) and Roman citizenship to the veterans of an unknown unit, also granting them permission to marry. The text of the internal side (intus) should report the dating, and the names of the soldiers and witnesses. -
Roman Turquoise Glass Pyxis
1st-4th century A.D.Estimate: £500 - 700 (‡+bp*)
Opening Bid: £250
A vibrant green-blue glass pyxis with a broadly barrel-shaped body, everted foot and shoulder, domed inverted neck; areas of iridescence; repaired. 42 grams, 85 mm high
Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private collection since 1998.
Originally used principally by women to hold cosmetics, jewellery or even poisonous substances, some pyxides have even been identified as ink pots. Most surviving examples are Green terracotta examples.
