Roman Mosaic Glass Wheel Bead

Formed as a grazing horse standing on a groundline, catchplate and pin to the reverse. 9.79 grams, 31 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Ellipsoid in plan with an engraved scene of a cockerel copulating with a hen, inscription above. 0.62 grams, 14 mm



Property of a European gentleman, acquired from the estate of a London collector (formed before 2000).

In ancient Rome, a cockerel, Latin gallus, was a symbol of virility and fertility. But gallus (plural galli) was also the term for a religious devotee and later for a priest of Cybele (Magna Mater). Often eunuchs, they performed ecstatic dances and rituals, sometimes even engaging in sexual acts as part of their religious practices. In Rome, the head of the Cybele priests was the archigallus, chosen by the quindecimviri sacris faciundis. Reliefs show that the archigallus was wearing luxurious and extravagant costumes and jewellery. This unique gemstone can be attributed to such an archigallus. The cult of Cybele/Magna Mater and the presence of galli also spread to Roman Britain, where it is attested, e.g. in Catterick and Corbridge.

Composed of gently graduated red and orange beads, the central feature composed of two tubular beads and a rectangular bead. 6.22 grams, 37.5 cm



Ex London, UK, collection, 1990s.