Roman Rock Crystal Bead Necklace

Comprising: small figure pierced at the middle wit pellet detailing to face and body, legs spread; figure in active pose with slanting stripes across the body, possibly intended for Hercules; probably votives for deposition at a temple. 42 grams total, 30-47 mm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Hollow-formed piriform lamp with D-shaped nozzle and small spout, recessed upper face with three piercings, swept handle formed as the neck of a goose with floral lobes and raised linear detailing. 896 grams, 20.5 cm



Found Bath, UK. From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

With concentric lines of openwork ornament in lanceolate shapes, ending with crescent decorations. 40 grams, 86 mm

Mostly intact, good condition.

Acquired from Gallery Gryphos, Munich, 1997. European private collection. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11998-211928.

In the 3rd century A.D. Roman army, the old ring suspension system of the sword, of Celtic and Iberian origin, was abandoned. The sword was now mainly carried suspended from a broad baldric on the soldier’s left side. The high quality of the openwork decoration of our phalera and the precious silver of which it is made imply that it may have once belonged to a commissioned officer.