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LOT 0608
Roman Redware Sherd with Giant Geryon
3RD-4TH CENTURY A.D.
3 in. (36 grams, 78 mm).
A fragment of redware ceramic from a moulded vessel, low-relief design depicting the giant Geryon as a helmetted Roman Miles advancing, with gladius held ready in both his left hands and a studded round shield; modern mounting loop to the reverse. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired 1960s-1990s.
From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.
See D'Amato, R., Roman Army Units in the Eastern Provinces (2), Oxford, 2022, p.41, for the iconography of Geryon as Roman legionary.
FootnotesThe image is a representation of the giant Geryon, a monster killed by Herakles usually represented with three bodies and three heads, or three heads and one body, or three bodies and one head. In the Roman iconography (but already visible in Greek iconography) he is often represented as an armoured warrior. The original pottery to which the fragment belonged was probably originally decorated with the labours of Hercules.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Gold Jewellery Group
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A mixed group of gold items including a biconical bead, an earring with recurved bow, granule finial and filigree closure, a domed bell-pendant with granule to the apex and other items. 18 grams total, 11-58 mm
Acquired early 1990s. Ex private American collection; thence by descent. Private collection since 1998. -
Roman Dog brooch
2nd-3rd century A.D.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £75
An unusual copper-alloy zoomorphic plate brooch in the shape of a dog with two legs and a long tail, the body characterised by a series of horizontal grooves, raised pins to the front and back, the ones on the back probably for the attachment of the hinged pin. 2.5 grams, 34 mm
Acquire in the 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.
This unusual fibula was probably a provincial production. The dog was connected to the Celtic divinities and also with Silvanus, who was associated with healing, hunting, and dogs. -
Roman Military Ring with Scorpion Gemstone
Circa 2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £111
A bronze finger ring with inset carnelian gemstone, intaglio scorpion. 4.31 grams, 21.20 mm overall, 17.45 mm internal diameter (approximate size British J, USA 4 3/4, Europe 8.69, Japan 8)
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
The ring could have belonged to a praetorian guardsman. The scorpion was one of the main symbols of the praetorian guard since the age of Augustus.
