Roman Style Oil Lamp with Face

The ring with slender hoop, slightly expanding shoulders modelled as open lotus flowers supporting the rounded bezel, the flower motif repeated beneath the bezel; the bezel with raised rim and inset with a Roman 2nd century A.D. green jasper intaglio engraved with an ant motif. 4.32 grams, 22.07 mm overall, 18.35 mm internal diameter (approximate size British O, USA 7, Europe 14.98, Japan 14)

Excellent condition, rare.

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 search certificate number no.12009-213037.

The style and technique of the ring seem to be German or Central European and date to the late 16th or early 17th centuries. The iconography of the intaglio was directly linked with one of the attributes of the Roman goddess Ceres and consecrated to the cult of Juno Lanuvina (a symbol of fertility, industry and richness), patron of grain and fertility.

Modelled with oversized pierced hands, head tilted, textured loincloth; mounted on a custom-made stand. 103 grams total, 13 cm including stand



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.

With extensive use of liquid gold; polychrome painted scene of three male figures within a building engaged in conversation; three passers-by outside with faces raised to another figure on the roof; panels of calligraphic nastaliq text above and below; mounted in a glazed wooden frame. 689 grams, 37 x 26.5 cm

Very fine condition.

Acquired on the UK art market, 1980s-1990s. The Woodbridge collection of Indo-Persian art.