Roman North African Redware Head Amphora

Comprising: lock bolts; human and animal figures; bells; decorative fittings and other items. 150 grams total, 16-81 mm



Acquired on the German art market around 2000. From the collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

From the upper part of the vessel, displaying a frieze of profile busts and figural scenes within roundels, winged Victory holding a wreath and standing on globe between the roundels; the central roundel with Sol Invictus and a sun chariot. 155 grams, 18.5 cm



Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

This terra sigillata fragment appears to have been part of a large tray, celebrating the imperial triumph of an early 4th century emperor, possibly Constantine or a member of his family such as Crispus. The combination of triumphal symbols (palms, quadriga, radiated crown) with imperial figures is typical of the tetrarchy and early Constantinian era, where elements of dying paganism were still used to celebrate imperial glory. Note the detailed late Roman clothing, with a closed chlamys-paludamentum on the right shoulder and, in the profile figure, a thorax with hemispherical shoulder protections.

Of roughly spherical form, opaque polychrome checked design incorporating two stylised human faces. 1.34 grams, 10 mm



Ex private collection, 1980s. Acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s.