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LOT 0688
Roman Redware Pottery Sherd with Achilles and Thetis
4TH-5TH CENTURY A.D.
7 in. (202 grams, 18 cm).
From the upper part of a vessel, displaying a frieze of profile images and figural scenes from Graeco-Roman mythology: a musician in late Roman garments playing a harp (Orpheus?), a seated woman weaving with a distaff in her hand (Penelope?), a kneeling naked woman imploring a naked warrior fighting with shield and spear (Achilles and Thetis?). [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1960s-1990s.
From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
Cf. Beutler, F. et al., Der Adler Roms. Carnuntum und die Armee der Cäsaren, Bad-Deutsch-Altenburg, 2017, item 697, for a frieze in similar style.
FootnotesThis terra sigillata fragment appears to have been part of a large tray. Elements of dying paganism were still used to celebrate the deeds of the new imperial heroes. Note the detailed late Roman clothing of the harpist, with a chlamys-paludamentum on the right shoulder and the tunic decorated with clavi and orbiculi.
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AUCTIONS:
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Late Roman Gold Ring with Facing Birds
Circa 5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,470
With a heavy round-section hoop thickened at the base, lentoid bezel with ropework border and two opposing cockerels. 14.42 grams, 24.86 mm overall, 17.53 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P 1/2, USA 7 3/4, Europe 16.86, Japan 16)
Believed to have been acquired at Christie's. Property of a North American gallery. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12109-214332. -
Roman Gold Rings for a Married Couple with Nicolo Bust Gemstones
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £4,160
Comprising two matching solid hoops with expanding shoulders, each set with a dark blue nicolo intaglio, one bearing a profile bust of a young Hercules, and the other with a profile bust of a woman wearing a taenia or a wreath on her head. 12.83 grams total, 20.25 mm overall, 15.50 mm internal diameter (approximate size British G, USA 3 1/4, Europe 4.92, Japan 4) 20.86 mm overall, 16.35 mm internal diameter (approximate size British H, USA 3 3/4, Europe 6.18, Japan 6)
From the private collection of the late A.B., London, UK; acquired before 1989. Accompanied from an archaeological report of Dr. Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12006-213034.
The iconography here is simple, possibly referring to a married couple, or to important public persons. The 5th century Roman writer Macrobius wrote that the engagement ring was worn on the fourth finger. Legend has it that the vena amoris, literally the ‘vein of love’, ran from the heart to the fourth finger of the left hand. Gemstones and fancy embellishments have been found in Roman rings of every age, although usually for engagement or wedding rings the iconography of clasped hands, symbolising the ‘fides’ among the spouses, was used. Intaglio portraits were engraved into a large variety of stones but nicolo, carnelian and red jasper were generally the most popular for imperial portraits or for the members of the imperial family. -
Roman Iron Ring with Sardonyx Gemstone with Bull
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,470
Slender hoop expanding to a broad bezel, inset sardonyx cloison intaglio depicting a grazing bull on a baseline. 7.58 grams, 25.56 mm overall, 17.84 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J 1/2, USA 5, Europe 9.32, Japan 9)
Acquired in London in 1994. European private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12067-211915.
