Roman Six-Sided Glass Jar with Iridescence

Each moulded with finger detailing to one face; or from children's dolls. 23 grams total, 34-53 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.

From a colossal relief, depicting a life-size head of a goddess or an Amazon with a smooth reverse; pronounced lips and wide brow; the hair arranged in waves leaving the ears partially uncovered, secured with a taenia; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 11.9 kg total, 32 cm including stand



From an English private collection, 1970s-late 1990s. English private collection. 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 search certificate number no.12163-218598

The style is akin to the sculptures of the Severan Age with a naturalistic treatment of the hair, and a more restrained use of the drill. The sculpture displays the same characteristic oval broad face with fleshy round cheeks, widely arched brow and big eyes of the portraits of Julia Domna. The alternative identification of the head as an Amazon can be deduced from the taenia and the details of the tear ducts, linked to a possible representation of a combat scene in which an Amazon suffers in agony after receiving mortal wounds.

Round-section rod with tapered ends, one reversed and with a loop finial. 23 grams, 41 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.