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LOT 0109
Roman Silver Ring with 'of him who is virtuous, beautiful' Garnet Gemstone
LATE 2ND-EARLY 3RD CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (6.42 grams, 22.80 mm overall, 16.58 mm internal diameter (approximate size British E, USA 2 1/4, Europe 2.41, Japan 2)).
Comprising a D-section hoop with angled shoulders; applied gold sheet with hatched border to the bezel, set with a dark set carnelian intaglio engraved with a monogram 'ΚΑΛΟΥ' (of him who is virtuous, beautiful). [No Reserve]
ProvenanceProperty of a North American gallery since the 1990s.
LiteratureCf. Ruseva-Slokoska, L., Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, pp.189-190, nos.240-244, for variant I, type II of the Ruseva-Slokoska classification.
FootnotesThis category of silver rings, with rounded shoulders is characteristic of the 3rd century A.D. This is also supported by the dating of the Sliven treasury, a grave find with coins dated to the 2nd-3rd century A.D., where a high conically cut gem decorated with the image of Helios was found on a similar ring, with a high bezel (like here) decorated in its oblique part with oblique hatches resembling pearl-like cord.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0109
Roman Silver Ring with 'of him who is virtuous, beautiful' Garnet Gemstone
Sold for (Inc. bp): £780
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Roman Gold Ring with Head of Roma Garnet Gemstone
Circa 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £2,600
With a grooved hoop, round bezel with flared rim, set with a cabochon engraved with profile bust of Roma wearing a crested helmet. 4.50 grams, 24.32 mm overall, 20.69 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N 1/2, USA 6 3/4, Europe 14.35, Japan 13)
Acquired from London galleries during the 1990s. From the jewellery collection of a London, UK, gentleman. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12110-214298.
Both the ring and the gem show characteristic compatible with 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D. dating. Some scholars identify the female head with a theatre mask, but here the strong profile and the helmet points to the goddess Rome, a divine personification of the eternal city. -
Very Large Roman Stone Gaming Dice
1st-4th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Rectangular in profile with drilled spots disposed 1:2, 3:4, 5:6. 27 grams, 31 mm
From the important private collection of dice and gaming pieces of Colin Narbeth, London, UK. -
Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Cybele Riding a Lion
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Lug handle to the rear, shallow discus with filling holes and a low-relief image of goddess Cybele riding on her frequent companion, a lion. 172 grams, 12 cm
Acquired on the European art market, 1980s. English private collection.
This lamp belongs to the group of Provincial African lamps with a plain shoulder and a heart-shaped nozzle. The shoulder form of the lamps (irrespective of African, Italic, or eastern place of manufacture or origin) varies widely. Some of them had undecorated shoulders, like our example. Discus decors include mythology, amphitheatre, daily life, animals (our example), geometric patterns and plain discus.