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LOT 0102
Roman Red Variegated Gemstone with Elephant
3RD CENTURY A.D.
5/8 in. (3.04 grams, 17 mm).
Scaraboid type with incuse design to the underside of an elephant with stars above; supplied with a museum-quality impression. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
LiteratureCf. coin of Caesar showing a similar elephant in Gołyźniak, P., Engraved Gems and Propaganda in the Roman Republic and under Augustus, Oxford, 2020, fig.283.
FootnotesThe Romans first encountered elephants in Pyrrhos' army, and the representation of elephants in Roman art begins from this period. Victorious emperors like Caesar and Vespasian celebrated elephants on their coins. Apart from the celebration of elephants as ‘war machines’, the image of elephants was linked to other aspects in the Roman Imperial Period. Before becoming emperor, Elagabalus was one of the priests of Helios-Sun worship in Emesa. He had elephant depictions on his coins during his reign. The elephants raise their heads to the sun when the sun rises. Thus, the sun is represented on the gemstone together with the elephant.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0102
Roman Red Variegated Gemstone with Elephant
Estimate £600 - 800€700 - 930 (for guidance only)$810 - 1,080 (for guidance only)
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Roman Gold Ring with Nicolo Gemstone of a Bearded Bacchus as a Herm
1st century A.D. ring: 3rd-4th century A.D.Estimate: £3,500 - 4,500 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £1,750
The intaglio deeply carved to depict a profile of Bacchus, set within a closed-back bezel; the band formed as a triple-twisted rope with granules and beadwork upon the shoulders. 5.90 grams, 22.20 mm overall, 16.36 x 13.99 mm internal diameter (approximate size British I, USA 4 1/4, Europe 7.44, Japan 7)
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.13342-257959.
The band formed as a triple-twisted rope with granules, and beadwork upon the shoulders is typical of the 3rd to 4th centuries AD. However, the image of the bearded Bacchus remains attached to the original Greek iconography, as seen on the Ermae of the classical period. -
Roman Bronze Ring with Inscription
3rd-4th century A.D.Estimate: £40 - 60 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Featuring angular shoulders and a discoid bezel, inscribed across the shoulders and bezel with 'ATT A ΛI?'. 3.18 grams, 20.67 mm overall, 16.46 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G, USA 3 1/4, Europe 4.92, Japan 4)
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
Roman Pale Green Glass Mould Blown Date Flask
1st century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
With an elliptical body, short neck and thick everted rim, with modelled wrinkles imitating the texture of a dried date. 16.22 grams, 78 mm
Acquired from Millennium Antiquities, Lancashire, UK, in 2001. From the collection of a Bedfordshire, UK lady. Accompanied by an original Millennium Antiquities invoice dated 28 June 2001.
Dates were not only a staple of the Mediterranean diet, used to sweeten food and wine, but also a symbol for the New Year and a fruit often given as a gift on the occasion.
