Roman Silver Ring with Gemstone

Featuring an elaborate monogram composed of Greek letters A and E, rectangular section bar and tapering cylindrical socket. 396 grams, 28.5 cm



Acquired 1990s-early 2000s. East Anglian private collection.

Branding stamps or signacula, in particular those with large single letters, were used for marking livestock to identify the ownership, the breed, the quality and other features of the animal. These signacula were usually made in bronze, but iron examples are also preserved.

Hollow-formed with a fan-shaped headdress for the handle, pierced disc plaque to the brow, nozzle beneath the neck; female bust with piled tresses; a double ring and 'YOP' maker's mark to the base. 87.6 grams, 11.6 cm



Acquired 1960s-1990s. From the late Alison Barker collection, a retired London barrister.

Lamps with figurines first appear in the Hellenistic period, possibly originating in Athens. Found in all parts of the Mediterranean basin, they were particularly popular during the first and second centuries A.D. For the most part no exact parallels are found in the published literature, thus their dating is often conjectural, based mainly on the shape of the nozzle.

Piriform in shape with a cylindrical neck and everted rim; remains of iridescence. 46 grams, 12 cm high



Acquired 1969-1999. From the private collection of the late Mr S.M., London, UK, thence by descent.