Roman Marble Relief Fragment with Snake

Modelled in the round right hand with long slender fingers and thumb. 6.8 grams, 26 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

Figurine modelled in the round of a phallus supported on two zoomorphic legs with a smaller phallus to the rear, ridden by a nude female with her left hand gripping a separate object (absent), possibly a wine-cup; mounted on a custom-made stand. 42 grams total, 62 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.

Based on the amuletic tintinnabulum winged and two-legged phallus.

Representing a facing bust of a mature man with his head turned slightly to the right; short hair and a full, neatly trimmed beard, furrowed brow and strong eyebrows, deep-set eyes with heavy eyelids, eyes marked with pupils; dressed in a short-sleeved tunic draped around the neck and wearing a conical cap, holding an egg in his left hand; pierced through the surrounding roundel; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 1.8 kg total, 24.5 cm including stand



J.J. Klejman, New York, 1963. with Gallery Six, New York, 1991. with Christie's, New York, 11 December 2014, no.156 ($50,000-$70,000). Private collection, London. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D'Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12361-226874.

In the Mithraic cult the egg is a symbol of eternal time, and associated with the birth of god Mithras. The cult of Mithras, the god of the legions, whose symbol was the Sol Invictus, was popular during the 3rd century and in Tetrarchic Age. The chariot which this fitting adorned possibly wouldn't have been used in war, but in triumphal and religious processions, or simply for transport of priests.