Roman Silver Lunar Pendant

With luxuriant long wavy hair and characteristic vertical locks at the forehead, full beard with two large ringlets below the chin, wearing a chiton and a himation draped over the left shoulder, the head surmounted by a corn modius decorated with olive branch in relief, the bust supported on the back of an eagle standing atop an orb with spread wings, the eagle with its head slightly turned to the left, the feathers finely detailed; a finial from a staff or a ceremonial standard. 1.4 kg, 29.5 cm high

Repaired.

Ex private collection, South Germany, 1980. with Gorny and Mosch, Munich, 13 December 2003, lot 74. with Christie's, New York, 8 June 2012, lot 239. 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.11789-206489.

The Emperor Septimius Severus (193-211 A.D.) modelled many of his portraits based on Serapis. But it was under Hadrian that the refurbishment of the statue in the Serapeum increased the demand for small-scale images, like this one, probably made during his reign and used atop of a processional sceptre or standard for the cult of the god.

Composed of a large openwork hoop and bezel set with a jasper gemstone, intaglio image of a mounted cavalryman wearing a high-crested pseudo Corinthian helmet and holding a barbed javelin in his hand, protecting his horse from the leaping lion attacking from the rear, a tree behind. 33.97 grams, 31.98 mm overall, 20.67 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)



Acquired on the New York art market in 1995. Ex French collection. with Christie's, London, 25th April 2007, lot 187. Important North West London collection. Accompanied by a copy of a French cultural passport no.079872. 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.11775-204565.

The massive size, shape and the volute decoration is typical of the 3rd century A.D. and similar rings are visible in the collections of the British Museum and Mainz State Museum. The subject of the intaglio is made with great skill, exquisite artistry and engraved in fine detail. The lion hunt theme is typical of the Hellenistic world since the time of Alexander the Great.

Comprising a range of bead types in different materials, including decorated examples. 93 grams total, 3-29 mm



Acquired on the UK art market. Property of a Ruislip, UK, gentleman, by inheritance.