Roman Rock Crystal Gemstone of a Date Picker

Incuse profile bust of Silenus with full beard and bald head; below, gnarled walking stick made from a vine; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.39 grams, 11 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

D-section hoop, elliptical in plan, with raised oval bezel set with a jasper intaglio engraved with inverted Greek inscription 'IXΘYC' (ichthys, meaning 'fish"), a Greek acronym for 'Jesus Christ, Son of God; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 9.18 grams, 21.91 mm overall, 18.68 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O 1/2, USA 7 1/4, Europe 15.61, Japan 15)



Private collector, acquired in the early 1990s. Private collection, England.

The term ichthys is the equivalent of the ancient Greek: ixθus, ichthýs ('fish'), used by early Christians to refer to Jesus Christ. For this reason, the fish symbol was very common in the catacombs of Rome. In particular, the ichthys is one of the oldest Christian symbols that has come down to us. Used covertly by Christians to mask their faith from Roman persecutors, when a Christian encountered a stranger whose loyalty he needed to know, he would draw one of the arches that make up the ichthys in the sand. If the stranger completed the sign, the two individuals recognised each other as followers of Christ. The symbol was also drawn on the doors of the houses of Christian families. Its use spread in the 3rd century to personal effects such as the ring offered here.

Incuse image of a palm tree with splayed fronds, ladder placed against the trunk, and a man with a basket ascending to pick the fruit; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.71 grams, 12 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.