Roman Tall Glass Unguentarium

The narrow hoop expanding at the fluted shoulders, oval bezel with intaglio image of an advancing lion with voluminous mane. 5.58 grams, 24.46 mm overall, 19.29 mm internal diameter (approximate size British M 1/2, USA 6 1/4, Europe 13.09, Japan 12)



From the collection of a High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, UK, gentleman, circa 2000.

Comprising large tile and vessel fragments, some with inked notes; and a group of white and grey tesserae, including one large redware tessera. 2.3 kg total, 1-17 cm



Found St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK. Acquired from the finder in 2008. Property of a Nottinghamshire gentleman.

The great monuments of Verulamium were efficiently destroyed by the medieval builders of Saxon and Norman abbeys. They sought Roman bricks and, above all, limestone which could be burnt for mortar. Most of the ancient Roman town stone monuments were broken up and thrown into lime kilns. These surviving fragments give a hint of what was once there. For the monuments and buildings Romans used Northamptonshire limestone, but the more delicate, finely carved inscriptions were realised in Purbeck marble from Dorset.

Comprising a large quantity of beads, mainly oblate and cylindrical in form. 54.1 grams total, 1-10 mm



UK gallery, early 2000s.