Roman Tall Glass Flask

Plano-convex type with incuse image of a horseman on rearing steed, plunging a spear into a coiled serpent; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 0.43 grams, 10 mm



Private English collection, formed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Private collection, London, UK.

A statuette of an acrobat on a round, drum-shaped base, standing on his hands, body arching slightly and legs together; wearing a loin cloth and cap decorated with floral pattern; eyes inlaid with silver. 162 grams, 12 cm high



Ex property of a Surrey collector; acquired in the early 1970s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13125-249637.

Acrobats in ancient Rome could perform at a number of venues; either in theatres, as 'gap fillers' between gladiatorial contests at the amphitheatre, at private parties or at impromptu street performances and fairs. A convivium was a dinner party with family, friends or associates. It was somewhat like a Greek symposium except that it was generally regarded as a chance to talk business or politics rather than philosophy and weighty matters. A commissatio was a wild drinking party. Prostitutes, jugglers, musicians, acrobats, actors and fire-eaters entertained guests at the banquets of wealthy Romans. From the descriptions given by Roman authors these banquets were lavish affairs with rose petals scattered on the floor, mechanical devices lowering acrobats and entertainers from the ceiling and slaves blew exotic scents into the room. The emperors also had special entertainment barges constructed on some of the ornamental lakes in the parks of Rome where acrobats entertained the guests.

From the right end of an ornate sarcophagus, carved dramatic theatrical mask in the centre with open mouth and drilled eyes, the forehead morticed for an attachment, a garland of leaves below; the right end tied to a boukranion, the left supported by a winged Eros; reverse with apsidal recess. 72.95 kg, 48 x 57 cm



Private collection, New York. with Christie's, New York, 7th December 1995, no.118. Christie's, New York, April 29th, 2019, no.189. Acquired at the above sale. with Sotheby's, 17 December 2020, no.80. The opposite short side of the same sarcophagus was sold at Sotheby's, New York, November 28th, 1990, no.104, and is now in a New York private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13116-249668.