Roman Silver Trumpet Whorl Brooch

With a solid ellipsoid hoop expanding at the shoulders from the mid 3rd century, with oval bezel set with a blue nicolo gemstone engraved with the figure of standing crowned god Apollo, depicted nude and holding a staff (or lyre?) in his raised right hand, gazing towards his raised left hand. 4.49 grams, 26.13 mm overall, 21.70 mm internal diameter (approximate size British L 1/2, USA 6, Europe 11.87, Japan 11)



From the private collection of the late A.B., London, UK; acquired before 1989. Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12005-213036.

The god’s body is depicted in three-quarter view, whereas the head is in full profile. The casual posture of the figure on the gemstone is taken from the common iconography of the god. Apollo is frequently portrayed in this fashion, although often leaning against a small column.

From the upper part of a vessel, displaying a frieze of profile images and figural scenes from Graeco-Roman mythology: a musician in late Roman garments playing a harp (Orpheus?), a seated woman weaving with a distaff in her hand (Penelope?), a kneeling naked woman imploring a naked warrior fighting with shield and spear (Achilles and Thetis?). 202 grams, 18 cm



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

This terra sigillata fragment appears to have been part of a large tray. Elements of dying paganism were still used to celebrate the deeds of the new imperial heroes. Note the detailed late Roman clothing of the harpist, with a chlamys-paludamentum on the right shoulder and the tunic decorated with clavi and orbiculi.

The hoop recessed and decorated with a simple plait formed with three separate rods; granulated pyramids beneath the square bezel framed with a pelletted band, raised setting with a green glass cabochon. 4.69 grams, 22.63 mm overall, 16.86 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 13.09, Japan 12)



Private collection USA. From the Alexander Gallery, New York, USA, in the early 2000s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.12106-214327.

Previously these rings were generally dated later, however, according to Chadour, the shape is more typical of the 2nd-3rd century A.D. The gem however can also be of later date, because the use of the emerald was more typical of the late empire. The decoration of the shoulders with the plait reminisces Celto-Roman patterns.