Roman Silver Ring with Inscription to the Sides

Comprising a large quantity of pottery and red-ware sherds from large and small vessels, including an amphora neck and part of a handle. 586 grams total, 7-74 mm



Found near Vechten, Netherlands. Netherlands private collection. Acquired from a private collector in 2009. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman. Accompanied by a typed information sheet.

Fectio, modern Vechten, was a fort in the limes, the frontier zone of the Roman Empire, situated at the site of the bifurcation of the rovers Rhine and Vecht. Numismatic evidence suggests that it was founded by the Roman general Tiberius (the future emperor) during the 4/5th campaigns. It probably served as a military base during punitive raids. Around the middle of the 2nd century AD, the wood and earth fort was replaced by a stone fortification and occupied by the Ala I Thracum, who had previously been stationed in Britain. At the end of the 2nd/beginning of the 3rd century, the silting up of the Rhine’s arm on which Fectio lays had progressed to such an extent that access from the river was no longer possible. In the more than two and a half centuries of its existence, the camp was destroyed and rebuilt several times until the fort site was finally abandoned - as evidenced by archaeological traces of fire after a final destruction in 270/275 A.D.

The coin 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 23/1150. 1.3 kg total, 48.5 x 36.5 cm



UK gallery, early 2000s. Accompanied by an old certificate of authenticity.

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.

Irregular terracotta fragment with horizontal rib and high-relief palmette motif to the obverse; old inked collector's inscription 'Roman Brick' to one side; remains of light-coloured pigment; vertical mounting rib to reverse; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 1.38 kg total, 21 cm high including stand



Private collection of Katherine Carson, Delaware, acquired in the 1930s and thence by descent to great-nephew before sale by Ms Carson. This artefact was part of a large collection of curios, a photo of which is in the Dover Post (8 October 1975, p.3) when in the ownership of Alan Hunn of Delaware. Previously offered at auction by Artemis Gallery, 14 February 2010, lot 30 (unsold lot with pre-sale estimate of 2,000 – 3,000 USD). Ex Sands of Time Ancient Art Gallery, Washington D.C. U.S.A., January 2012, item number RT903.