Loading, please wait...

Roman Silver Ring with Gemstone of Cupid Riding a Dolphin Roman Silver Ring with Gemstone of Cupid Riding a Dolphin Roman Silver Ring with Gemstone of Cupid Riding a Dolphin
Use mousewheel to zoom in and out, click to enlarge
Details

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.

Provenance

Private collection, before 1975.
Private collection, England.

Literature

Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, item 320, for type.

CONDITION
VETTING:

TimeLine 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


AUCTIONS:

TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.

LOT 0916

Roman Silver Ring with Gemstone of Cupid Riding a Dolphin

Sold for (Inc. bp): £715

Print page

RELATED LOTS
  • Roman Putto Casket Mount
    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.

    Lot Details

  • Large Lower Section of a Roman Marble Figure of the Goddess Isis
    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.

    Lot Details

  • Large Roman Bronze Robed Torso
    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.

    Lot Details

Stay up-to-date with the latest from TimeLine Auctions by joining our mailing list