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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 Gemstone in Gold Ring
2nd century A.D. and laterEstimate: £1,500 - 2,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £750
A sardonyx intaglio of a bird pecking at a worm, set into a Georgian gold finger ring with openwork tendril detailing to the hoop, cupped bezel with rosette to the underside. 3.13 grams, 25.68 mm overall, 18.43 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)
UK private collection. with Bertolami Fine Art, London, 22 April 2022, lot 79. English private collection. -
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 Bone Spoon
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £78
A bone spoon with a shallow piriform bowl and tapering round-section stem, two concentric V-shaped channels to the bowl reverse; tip of stem lost in antiquity. 5.96 grams, 10.6 cm
Acquired 1969-1999. London collection of the late Mr S.M., thence by descent.
