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LOT 0646
Roman Mars Gemstone in Gold Ring
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D. AND LATER
7/8 in. (8.93 grams, 21.88 mm overall, 17.70 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)).
An ellipsoid carnelian gemstone with intaglio figure of Mars wearing a helmet and bearing a cornucopia in one hand and a miniature figure of Victory in the other; set in a later gold ring.
ProvenanceEx Marianne Maspero, 1980.
with Pierre Berge & Associes, Paris, France, 16 May 2018, lot 230.
English private collection.
Mars was the ancient Roman god of war and agriculture; the majority of his festivals were held in March, when the season for military campaigning commenced, whilst the season for farming ended. Mars symbolised military power as a method for securing peace and stability and was believed a protective father of the Roman people. In Roman mythology, Mars raped Silvia, thus fathering Romulus and Remus, the famous twins suckled by the She-wolf and founders of the city of Rome. The animals most closely associated with Mars are the woodpecker, wolf and bear.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Gold Ring with Portrait Gemstone
1st century B.C-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £585
A nicolo gemstone with profile portrait bust, set in a 2nd century A.D. hollow-formed gold ring with granule clusters to the shoulders. 2.55 grams, 23.99 mm overall, 16.55 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M, USA 6, Europe 12.46, Japan 12)
UK private collection, since 1956. Formed in the 1950s by by Mr and Mrs S. Broukal, thence by decent. with Bonham's, London, New Bond Street, 30 November 2016, lot 155 [Part]. English private collection. -
Roman Herm of the God Hermes
Circa 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
A bronze herm lock element representing the god Hermes, with a stylised and beardless face, long hair descending with two parallel lines on the chest with engraved stylised caduceus, finial with a plinth and a squared pin to the reverse. 110 grams, 16 cm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
This miniature herm, with a stylised caduceus engraved on the breast, possibly represents the god Hermes. It could have been used as a lock for a casket or a box where money was kept. Hermes was the protector of homes, symbolised by the Herma (from Hermes), a square or rectangular pillar of stone or bronze topped by a bust of the god. -
Roman Gold Ring with Fish Gemstone
3rd-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,170
A hollow-formed gold finger ring with inset glass intaglio of two fishes placed tête-bêche; the astrological symbol for the Pisces constellation. 6.11 grams, 26.55 mm overall, 20.73 mm internal diameter (approximate size British W 1/2, USA 11 1/4, Europe 25.6, Japan 24)
English private collection.
