Roman Marble Panther Protome Fragment

Hollow-formed with neatly dressed hair in a chignon, small facial features and exaggerated eyes; mounted on a custom-made stand. 415 grams total, 94 mm including stand



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

The head could be considered to represent the goddesses Juno or Tutela. The head is crowned with a simple diadem, which could fit with the identification of Venus, Juno, or Diana, or more particularly with a series of Roman benefactor and protective goddesses: Fortuna, Abundance or Concordia.

The hoop recessed and decorated with a simple plait formed with three separate rods; granulated pyramids beneath the square bezel framed with a pelletted band, raised setting with a green glass cabochon. 4.69 grams, 22.63 mm overall, 16.86 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 13.09, Japan 12)



Private collection USA. From the Alexander Gallery, New York, USA, in the early 2000s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12106-214327.

Previously these rings were generally dated later, however, according to Chadour, the shape is more typical of the 2nd-3rd century A.D. The gem however can also be of later date, because the use of the emerald was more typical of the late empire. The decoration of the shoulders with the plait reminisces Celto-Roman patterns.

Each cuboid in form with ring-and-dot markings disposed: 1:6, 2:5, 3:4. 2.9 grams total, 8.5-9.8 mm



From the important private collection of dice and gaming pieces of Colin Narbeth, London, UK, collection no.47.