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LOT 0916
Roman Silver Ring with Gemstone of Cupid Riding a Dolphin
2ND-3RD CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (9.29 grams, 27.65 mm overall, 20.67 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan14).
With an inset onyx gemstone, intaglio of a boy riding on the back of a dolphin and wielding a whip; supplied with a museum-quality impression.
ProvenancePrivate collection, before 1975.
Private collection, England.
Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 320, for type.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0916
Roman Silver Ring with Gemstone of Cupid Riding a Dolphin
Sold for (Inc. bp): £715
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Roman Putto Casket Mount
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Hollow to the reverse, formed as the mask of a putto with wavy locks framing the fleshy face; remains of stud to centre. 15.6 grams, 27 mm
Acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s. From the private collection of an Essex gentleman. -
Large Lower Section of a Roman Marble Figure of the Goddess Isis
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £5,000
Statue fragment of a woman or goddess, including floor-length robe and right foot with sandal; modelled standing with the foot slightly advanced, wearing sandals, chiton and himation. 66.65 kg, 50 cm
American private collection, acquired in the 1980s-1990s. Acquired on the American art market in 2016. with Sotheby's, London, 11 December 2020, no.88. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13078-249667.
Both the stance and folds of the himation suggest an Archaistic statue, perhaps the goddess Isis. -
Large Roman Bronze Robed Torso
1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Estimate: £30,000 - 40,000 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £16,667
Likely representing Harpocrates, depicted frontally and wearing a draped full-length himation, the right arm raised and left arm bent at the elbow; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 7.55 kg total, 53.5 cm high including stand
Private collection, Hong Kong, acquired in the 1970s. Spanish art market. Acquired by the present owner from the above. 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.13040-248071.
The body of this statue was hollow-cast by the lost wax method; traces of solder within the arm sockets and around the neck indicate that the arms and head were cast separately. The position of the body and comparative images suggest the statue represents Harpocrates. Harpocrates, the son of Isis and Horus, was one of the most represented children, especially after the diffusion of his cult into the Roman Empire. He is usually depicted naked, but draped figures of the god were produced in the Hellenised east and spread throughout the Empire. Statues of Harpocrates were at the entrance of almost all temples, to indicate that in those places the gods should have been honoured with silence, or, according to Plutarch, men who had an imperfect knowledge of the divinity should only speak of it with respect.