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LOT 0099
Roman Rock Crystal Gemstone with Sobek
1ST CENTURY A.D.
5/8 in. (1.24 grams, 15 mm).
Lentoid in section with engraved image of the crocodile-headed god Sobek, wearing a broad collar and pleated kilt, advancing with a spear, wearing the Pa-sekhemty crown; supplied with a museum-quality impression. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the Fadel family collection, London, UK, 1970s.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
Cf. West, N., 'Gods on Small Things: Egyptian Monumental Iconography on Late Antique Magical Gems and the Greek and Demotic Magical Papyri,' in Smith, A.C., Bergeron, M.E. (eds.), The Gods of Small Things, Pallas 86, Toulouse, 2011, p.160, fig. 30g, for a gem with a standing Sobek; Kockelmann, H., Der Herr der Seen, Sümpfe und Flußläufe 1, Wiesbaden, 2017, pp.96-97, for discussion of the crowns worn by Sobek.
FootnotesThe primary centres of worship for Sobek during the Roman Period were Medinet el-Fayum (ancient Shedet) in the Fayum region and Kom Ombo in Upper Egypt, where live crocodiles were kept within the temple precincts. Sobek was associated with other deities and the pharaoh, symbolising procreative and vegetative fertility, as well as strength and power.
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
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Roman Bifacial Terracotta Forger's Coin Mould
3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
Discoid in plan, both sides with a standing figure, legend surrounding. 5.21 grams, 27 mm
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. -
Roman Bronze Coin and Framed Limited Edition Print
3rd century A.D. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £26
The coin of Constantine the Great (272-337 A.D.) mounted on 22 carat gold foil, framed with an art print signed by the artist David McAllister, depicting scenes of Roman military activity; limited edition number 67/1150. 1.26 kg, 49.5 x 37.5 cm
UK gallery, early 2000s. Accompanied by a previous certificate of authenticity. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
David McAllister's exciting design is a 'one of a kind' work that portrays the might and riches of the Roman civilisation. This limited edition print is a celebration of the award winning artist's lifetime dedication to historical paintings of the ancient world. To enhance appreciation of this rare and historic work, each individual print is signed and numbered by the artist. -
Life-Size Roman Portrait Head of a Roman Lady, Possibly The Empress Salonina
Late 3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7,800
Portrait head of a woman with an elaborate coiffure, with the hair at the back parted in the middle and the two strands folded over each other and then pulled to the front to form a looped horizontal layer, then parted in the middle of the forehead and drawn to the back of the head, thereby forming ripples; individual curls represented along the hairline up to the completely exposed ears; some modern infills to the forehead area above the left eye, both upper eyelids, both cheeks in the middle area, left nostril and the chin up to the lower lip; heavily cleaned. 16 kg, 34.5 cm
Acquired on the Parisian art market. with Bernard Tinivella, Saint-Ouen. 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 a search certificate number no.12464-228803. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
The coiffure is known as 'Scheitelzopf hairstyle' or 'reverse plait'. The closest parallel for this hairstyle is a portrait bust in the Palazzo dei Conservatori (inv. no. 2767), which corresponds in every detail, including the various decorative curls. The same type of hairstyle, albeit with variations in the details (decorative curls and position of the hair loop), is found on a few other portraits of women that were dated to the Period of Gallienus by Marianne Bergmann. Some of the portraits in this typologically related group are likely to be private portraits. Nonetheless, the question must be raised as to whether the portrait shows a member of the imperial family. Hereby physiognomic features and especially imperial coin portraits need to be taken into account. In this context, it is important to note that both eyeballs were reworked, whereby the iris was completely erased. Furthermore, there are pick marks on the eyebrows, eyelids, nose, cheeks, mouth and chin (partly filled in modern times). If these were intentional changes made in the context of the practice of Damnatio memoriae, they would indicate that a lady from the imperial family was represented. The neck has been prepared for insertion into a sculpture.
