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LOT 0732
Roman Ring with Engraved Bezel
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
3/4 in. (1.48 grams, 20.32 mm overall, 17.70 mm internal diameter (approximate size British K 1/2, USA 5 1/2, Europe 10.58, Japan 10)).
A bronze ring with D-section hoop, lentoid bezel engraved with a running hare. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired in the 1970s.
Important European collection.
Cf. Henkel, F., Die Römischen Fingerringe der Rheinlande und der Benachbarten Gebiete, Berlin, 1913, items 61-62, for type.
FootnotesThe libidinous hare was sacred to Aphrodite and Eros (Venus and Cupid), and live hares were often presented as love gifts.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Large Roman Aucissa Bow Brooch with Wolf's Face
1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £91
A large bronze Aucissa variant type bow brooch with annulet decoration to the head, narrow half-round cross-section bow; the lower bow and foot forming a stylised wolf's face with pellet eyes and curved muzzle; hinged pin and catch to the reverse. 36 grams, 94 mm
German art market before 2000. With a European gentleman living in the UK. Property of a Surrey gentleman.
The fibula belongs to the series C of the Buchem classification of variant Aucissa fibulae. According to Kovrig, these military fibulae were produced in specific centres like Siscia (Sisak) in Pannonia and distributed throughout the Empire because of the mobility of the army. -
Roman Epigraphic Gemstone with Head of Zeus Serapis
3rd-4th century A.D.or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £468
A gemstone with one side incised with the head of Zeus Serapis wearing a modius crown, seen in profile to the left, surrounded by Greek letters I,Λ,φ, ν, Λ,Λ,Ϲ,Ϲ,Ε,Δ; the other side with enigmatic inscription 'BIKIω PIΗΔνMΗ IΔ φI ΛA'. 0.86 grams, 12 mm
Acquired before 1988. Ex family collection, by descent, Geneva.
Serapis was a Graeco-Egyptian god, whose cult was popularised during the 3rd century B.C. on the orders of Ptolemy I of Egypt, to facilitate the religious syncretism of his kingdom. During the Roman Empire his image was widely diffused in the east. Usually a third of these gems carry magical words which shows that they were used as amulets or for some other ritual purpose. These magical gems were inscribed with acclamations or prayers that suggest they were used as amulets for protection (in this case of Serapis) or to acquire charm, but only some of them can be linked with some divinatory or prophylactic purpose. -
Roman ROMA Plate Brooch
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
A bronze discoid plate brooch with openwork monogram of 'ROMA', hinged pin and catchplate to the reverse. 10.2 grams, 31 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
The brooch is engraved with the stylised letters ‘RMA’. When viewed from the obverse, RMA and the framing circle form a monogram for ‘Roma’. Roma refers to both the city and its divine personification, the Dea Roma. If RMA is read from right to left (or the brooch is viewed from the opposite side), the letters form a monogram for ‘AMOR’, the Latin name for Cupid, the god of love. The phrase pertains to Roma-Amor, a widely recognised palindrome espousing Roman wordplay in the ancient times.
