Roman Oyster Fork

A bronze statuette of a bound Mauritanian prisoner with his hands tied behind his back, naked body with exposed genitals, hair arranged in tight curls. 40 grams, 60 mm high



Acquire in the 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.

The face of this bound barbarian, who is forced into a squatting position by the way he is bound, is framed by rich locks betraying his Moorish origin. Numerous statuettes of bound barbarians have been found at the Empire’s outer boundaries. Many have vertical and horizontal bores, which have led to the interpretation that they were ornaments for horse bridles or snaffle fittings.

A bronze finger ring with raised ellipsoid bezel, the shoulders decorated with engraved foliage, on the bezel incised in Greek letters the inscription 'ΚΕΡΙ ΚАΛΗ' (written backwards). 4.33 grams, 23.12 mm overall, 21.00 mm internal diameter (approximate size British U 1/2, USA 10 1/4, Europe 23.15, Japan 22)



Acquired in the late 1990s-2000. Property of an East London gentleman.

The ring corresponds to the 1d type of Hadjadj's classification. The Greek inscription is probably a barbaric interpretation of 'ΚΗΡΙ ΚАΛΗ' (kind-hearted). The Merovingian typology of the ring suggests a late Roman product under the Roman-Barbarian kingdoms of Gaul or the Iberian Peninsula.

An engraved gemstone with a stylised image of Harpocrates, depicted as a naked child with a finger raised on his mouth, seated on a lotus flower in a boat, groups of wild animals arranged in threes surrounding; the other side with a magic inscription in Greek letters 'I, E, A, P, Φ, K, Ο, Γ'. 1.25 grams, 14 mm



Acquired before 1988. Ex family collection, by descent, Geneva.

Egyptian deities are often represented on magical gems. One of the most interesting figures is the image of Harpocrates seated on a lotus flower, called ‘the young sun’. This figure had a solar nature and a protective function.