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LOT 0714
Roman Silver Ring with Poseidon Gemstone
1ST-2ND CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (4.97 grams, 26.02 mm overall, 18.30 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)).
With elliptical cell, inset carnelian cabochon with intaglio figure of Poseidon standing naked, only covered by a cloak on his shoulders, holding a trident with left hand, and a net with a stylised dolphin(?) with the right hand; possibly a marriage.
ProvenanceUK private collection formed before 2000.
Ex North London, UK, gallery.
Cf. Chadour, A.B., Rings. The Alice and Louis Koch Collection, volume I, Leeds, 1994, 207, for type; Katsonopoulou, D., ‘Further insights on the cult of Poseidon Helikonios in Helike (IV)’ in Katsonopoulou, D. (ed.), Poseidon God of Earthquakes and Waters Cult and Sanctuaries, Athens, 2017, pp.17-33, figs.8a and 9.
FootnotesOn issues of the Roman colonial coinage of Patras, the image of nude standing Poseidon holding a trident and dolphin is reproduced simultaneously with the most common representations of the god shown standing with one foot resting on a support (rock or dolphin). This type of standing nude Poseidon holding a trident in his left hand and a dolphin in his right is also pictured on the reverse of coins of Agion.
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Roman Silver Bracelet Pair
2nd-3rd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
Group of two penannular bracelets, each with a round-section shank, cross-hatched finials. 27.6 grams total, 60-62 mm
Private collection, Arundel, West Sussex, UK, 1975-late 1990s. -
Roman Gold Pendant with Garnet Gemstone Depicting Victory
Circa 1st-2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,950
Comprising an oval cell with an applied suspension loop and three coiled drops below; set with a garnet cabochon engraved with a winged figure of the goddess Victoria (Victory), wearing a plumed helmet and holding arrows in her extended hand; stone cracked. 4.59 grams, 34 mm
Acquired from Royal Athena Gallery. From a major London, UK, collection, 1970s. Ex property of a North London, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by a previous catalogue information slip.
The winged goddess of victory not only represented a specific deity, but for the Romans she was the symbol of Rome's invincibility. She was not only the emperor's permanent companion but his guarantee for his success in military campaigns. For this reason she was frequently represented on monuments, standards and on coins, gems and statuettes. -
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Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with Head of Medusa
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
Mould-made with convex shoulder separated from the concave discus by a narrow band of triangles and ovules, single groove around the discus, lower filling-hole, burn marks on the nozzle, flat undefined base, discus decorated with the head of Medusa within a laurel. 50 grams, 86 mm
Fine condition.
German collection formed since 1970. Acquired on the UK art market. Property of an Essex gentleman.
A Loeschcke VIII variant. The form and decoration suggest a Hadrianic date, at which time Medusa was one of the most popular subjects depicted on lamps. In ancient mythology, Medusa was one of three monstrous winged female creatures who had venomous snakes living in her hair. The story of Medusa is elaborated by the Roman poet Ovid in his Metamorphosis, which explains that Medusa was a beautiful woman until she had sex with Poseidon in Athena’s temple. Athena exacted punishment on Medusa, turning her into a monstrous creature with a glare that turned all who gazed into her eyes to stone. Medusa was eventually beheaded by the Greek hero Perseus, who used her head as a weapon which, even after being hewn from Medusa's body, could turn his enemies to stone. Perseus later presented Medusa's head to the goddess Athena, which she in turn weaponised, placing it on her shield. In classical antiquity, representations of the head of Medusa appeared in the apotropaic device known as the Gorgoneion, designed to ward-off evil and bad luck.
