Roman Opaque White Glass Unguentarium

Carved mould-half for producing slipper-shaped oil lamps, with triangles and rosettes forming a band to the edge of the shoulder. 715 grams, 17.5 cm



From the private collection of Mr Brian Edwards, New Malden, Surrey, UK, formed from the late 1970s-early 1980s; thence by descent.

Featuring three intaglios: on the left, a carnelian intaglio of Minerva holding a winged figure of Victory in her hand, shield and spear on the field; at the centre, a green plasma intaglio of Omphale with club and lionskin; at the far right, a carnelian intaglio of a cupid stirring a bucket with a stick, a rare motif; set in a later Georgian-style gold ring. 8.92 grams, 25.35 mm overall, 19.62 x 17.86 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)



Acquired on the European art market. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13364-257949.

Gems decorated with depictions of main deities of the Roman pantheon include gems with portraits of Jupiter or Jupiter Nikephoros, goddess Athena-Minerva or Minerva Romae, patron of Rome, Mars as Mars Ultor or Victor Tropaeophoros, and Victoria, goddess of victory.

With an elongated body, long nozzle with a rounded tip; raised rim to filling hole with hinged lid bearing a mask with sockets to the eyes for silver inserts; handle curved and terminating in a female mask with hair dressed in tiers, eyes recessed to be inlaid with silver; broad nozzle with cup and raised rim; socket to underside for mounting on a stand. 560 grams, 15.5 cm



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

The lamp is crafted in a very fine style, probably in a classical form from the 1st or 2nd century. It belongs to a type known and widespread in the Mediterranean, with parallels in Paris, Madrid, the museums of Cadiz, Tarragona, and Aquileia.