Roman Silver Ring with Plain Bezel

The coin of Constantine the Great (272-337 A.D.) 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 67/1150. 1.26 kg, 49.5 x 37.5 cm



UK gallery, early 2000s. Accompanied by a previous certificate of authenticity. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

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.

A mixed group of two hundred and fifty single tesserae of various colours and sizes, mostly cuboid. 336 grams total, 9-14 mm



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Roman mosaics were made from small cubes of natural stone and terracotta possibly cut from tile or brick. Each of these small cubes was called a tessera (several tesserae) from the Latin word for dice.

Comprising a discoid plate with running scroll border, lentoid-section handle with raised teardrop decoration; applied central reflective disc with Greek inscription to the reverse: 'τῆς φιλάνδρου πάντα' translating to 'For the woman who loves her husband'; with original reflective glass in situ. 35 grams, 10.3 cm



Acquired from Brigantia, York, UK, circa 2010. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.

Many examples of this category from the Danube region were found in female graves, where they perhaps served as grave goods considered appropriate for their connection with general issues of fertility, good fortune, and beauty, or even as protective amulets. The inscriptions found on votive lead mirrors in Pannonia, published by Németh & Szabó, show female characteristics, and the beautiful female soul as an addressee. Since lead mirror frames have been found in this Roman province only in graves of women, it is probable that these miniature mirrors, filled with glass in their central hole, were expected to serve as ritual or magical tools to assist the souls of dead women in the afterlife.